Papi Killed Mommy

   I was 10 years old when my mother was murdered.  The man who did it is still free.  This isn’t just a true crime podcast — it’s my real life.  If you believe in justice, subscribe to Papi Killed Mommy  Support the show

  BONUS EPISODE: A Letter From a Friend Before Papi Killed Mommy officially launches on July 9th, I wanted to give you the chance to meet the woman at the heart of this story — my mom, Stacy. This bonus episode features a letter written by one of my mother’s oldest and closest friends. In it, she shares vivid memories and heartfelt reflections that paint a picture of who my mom truly was — beyond the headlines, beyond the tragedy. You’ll hear stories about Stacy's warmth, her humor, her strength, and her love for her children. These are the memories that don’t make it into crime reports or news coverage — the kind that come from years of friendship, laughter, and life shared. This episode is raw and real. It’s meant to honor my mom as a full person — not just a victim. You’ll get to know her as the vibrant, complicated, beautiful soul she was. If this touches you, please tune in when Papi Killed Mommy premieres on July 9th — exactly 32 years after the night I said goodnight to her for the last time. This podcast is my way of reclaiming her story. It’s a journey through truth, trauma, justice, and survival — and I’m inviting you to take it with me. 🐾✈️ Traveling to CrimeCon with my best friend, Dickie Birdie, comes with some unexpected expenses — his recent vet visit alone was $827. If you’d like to help make sure he’s safe and comfy on this trip, I’ve put together a small Amazon Wishlist with his travel essentials (like a stroller, pop‑up kennel, and car seat). Every bit of support means the world. 💙 🛒 Click here to check out Dickie Birdie’s Wishlist 🔔 Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts. 🎙️ Full launch: July 8th at 11:00 PM 📣 Follow for updates and behind-the-scenes  🌐 Visit: daughterofamurderedwoman.com   Thank you for being here. Thank you for listening. And thank you for remembering her with me. Support the show

  The call begins with “9‑1‑1, what’s your emergency?”  Moments later, the man on the other end admits he might have killed my mother. Yet 32 years have passed without a single charge, trial, or ounce of justice. My name is Nikki—daughter of a bright, funny, fiercely loved woman whose death was ruled a homicide and then quietly shelved. I was ten when I kissed her good‑night for the last time. Today I’m done staying quiet. “Papi Killed Mommy” is the podcast I wish I never had to make: part investigation, part memoir, part battle cry. In this premiere trailer you’ll hear the real 9‑1‑1 audio, the confession hidden in plain sight, and the silence that followed when the county attorney said there “wasn’t enough evidence.” What to expect in the series Episode 1 (July 9, 11:00 PM MST): A minute‑by‑minute retelling of that final night and the childhood it destroyed. Future episodes: Interviews with family, and friends; documents; analyses; and new leads crowdsourced from listeners determined to break a 32‑year stalemate. Bonus content: Letters from my mom’s closest friends  Why listen? Because behind every cold case is a family still burning for answers. Because “insufficient evidence” should never be the end of the story. Because you—yes, you—might hold the tip, resource, or amplification that finally pushes this case across the finish line. How you can help Subscribe & share this trailer so the algorithm can’t bury it. Sign the petition demanding a full homicide investigation: https://www.change.org/p/demand-a-complete-homicide-investigation-for-the-murder-of-stephanie-marie-wasilishin Support the show monthly—even $3 keeps interviews, FOIA requests, and forensic reviews moving forward. Look for the “Support the Show” link in these notes. Have information? Contact the Sedona Police Department at (928) 282‑3100 or email tips@daughterofamurderedwoman.com. Trigger & content warnings This series contains discussions of domestic violence, murder, and trauma. If you or someone you love needs help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1‑800‑799‑7233 or visit thehotline.org for 24/7 confidential support. Disclaimer All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Statements made in this podcast are based on public records, personal recollections, and ongoing research. Stay connected TikTok & Instagram: @nicolewasilishin YouTube: Daughter of a Murdered Woman Website for updates & transcripts: daughterofamurderedwoman.com Thank you for pressing play, for believing that forgotten cases deserve a voice, and for standing with me as I fight for the justice my mother never received. Full launch July 9. Hit follow now—because if the system won’t fight for her, we will. Support the show

  Hello, I’m Nikki, daughter of a woman whose life was tragically cut short. Welcome back to Papi Killed Mommy. These bonus episodes share letters from my mom’s closest friends — a way to meet the woman I never fully knew. She was taken when I was ten. These letters bring her memory alive and reveal parts of her story missing from Episode 1, which premieres July 8 at 11 PM MST — the moment I last said goodnight to her. Before this podcast, I had almost no audio experience. Social media helped keep her name alive, but I needed a louder way to tell her story. I built a home studio, wrote these episodes, and started speaking from the heart. It’s been emotional and challenging, but each episode brings the truth forward. This episode features a letter from Cheryl Mendel, a friend of my mom’s in 1976. Cheryl saw Stacy as a spirited, resilient teen with a bold personality and gentle soul. Though brief, their friendship reveals the woman behind the mother — the woman inspiring this fight for justice. If Cheryl’s memories bring you closer to my mom, stay with me. There’s so much more to uncover. Papi Killed Mommy launches July 8 at 11 PM MST — the moment my life changed forever. Each week, we’ll explore facts, memories, and the ongoing search for truth. Next week, I’ll share one last bonus letter — from me to my mother. It’s deeply personal, and I hope it helps you feel closer to her. How you can help Subscribe, follow, and share to amplify this story. If you have info, contact Sedona Police at (928) 282-3100 or tips@daughterofamurderedwoman.com. Sign the petition for a full homicide investigation: https://www.change.org/p/demand-a-complete-homicide-investigation-for-the-murder-of-stephanie-marie-wasilishin. Support the show to fund interviews, FOIA requests, and forensic work via the “Support the Show” link. 🐾✈️ Traveling to CrimeCon with my best friend, Dickie Birdie, comes with some unexpected expenses — his recent vet visit alone was $827. If you’d like to help make sure he’s safe and comfy on this trip, I’ve put together a small Amazon Wishlist with his travel essentials (like a stroller, pop‑up kennel, and car seat). Every bit of support means the world. 💙 🛒 Click here to check out Dickie Birdie’s Wishlist Resources This podcast discusses domestic violence, trauma, and homicide. If you or someone you love needs help: National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 | thehotline.org Sedona Police Department: (928) 282-3100 More resources at the podcast website. Stay connected TikTok & Instagram: @nicolewasilishin YouTube: Daughter of a Murdered Woman Website: daughterofamurderedwoman.com Thank you for listening, caring, and standing with me to give my mom’s story a voice. Support the show

  Hi, my name is Nikki. I’m the daughter of a murdered woman, and welcome back to Papi Killed Mommy. In this bonus episode, I’m reading a letter I wrote to my mom, Stacy Wasilishin  Writing it was healing. Reading it out loud was harder than I expected. I cried multiple times during the recording, and I seriously considered re-recording it to make it cleaner, easier to listen to, more “together.” But the truth is, I wasn’t together. I’m not. And in the end, I realized that starting over would’ve meant hiding the real emotion — and I’ve spent enough of my life doing that. So what you’ll hear is raw. The end especially is rough — you can hear my voice breaking, and my tears. I ask you to bear with me, and if you can, listen all the way through. This letter means everything to me. It’s the beginning of a conversation I’ve waited 32 years to have. My mom was murdered on July 9th, 1993, by her boyfriend, Russell Peterson — the father of my younger sister. She had just gotten off the phone with my dad, Craig Daly, after making plans to leave Russell for good. Just a few hours later, she was shot and killed. I was ten years old. My little sister was three. That night was the last time I ever saw my mother alive. And to this day, no one has ever been arrested for her murder. This podcast is my way of changing that. I’ve spent the last few years fighting for justice — contacting police, speaking with attorneys, getting our story on the news, and building a community of people who believe in my mom, who believe she deserves answers. In December 2021, I started sharing her story on TikTok. Two years later, a video of me saying “I am the daughter of a murdered woman” went viral, reaching over 13 million views. Since then, more than 200,000 people have joined me on this journey. People are learning her name, saying it out loud, and helping me demand what’s long overdue: justice. If you're new here, thank you for listening. And if you've been with me from the beginning — I appreciate you more than you know. This podcast premieres on  July 8th at 11 PM — the exact time I said goodnight to my mother for the very last time. It’s taken me months to prepare, and every step has pushed me far outside my comfort zone. I built a home studio with my dad. I learned how to record and edit. I’ve made mistakes and started over and cried in front of the mic more times than I can count. But I’ve kept going — because she deserves to be remembered. Not just as a victim. But as a woman. A mother. A fighter. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please reach out.  📞 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788. 💻 thehotline.org If you have any information that could lead to the arrest of Russell Bennett Peterson or anyone involved in Stacy Wasilishin’s murder, please contact: 📞 Sedona Police Department: (928) 282-3100 🐾✈️ Traveling to CrimeCon with my best friend, Dickie Birdie, comes with some unexpected expenses — his recent vet visit alone was $827. If you’d like to help make sure he’s safe and comfy on this trip, I’ve put together a small Amazon Wishlist with his travel essentials (like a stroller, pop‑up kennel, and car seat). Every bit of support means the world. 💙 🛒 Click here to check out Dickie Birdie’s Wishlist 🔗 Follow our journey and stay connected: TikTok: @nicolewasilishin Instagram: @nicolewasilishin Petition for justice: change.org/justiceforstacy Support the show

  I was ten years old the night my mother was murdered — a night that shattered my childhood and changed my life forever. In this episode, I take you back to that fateful evening, sharing the intimate and haunting details of the last time I ever saw her alive. My mother wasn’t just a woman I loved; she was my safe place, my protector, my guide. That night, she was in the living room, lights dimmed low, candle flickering softly, wine glass in hand. She spent hours on the phone, making plans — plans to escape the man who was tearing our family apart. This man wasn’t my father but the boyfriend who fathered my younger sister. He was the dark presence in our lives that no one dared to face. I remember lying to her — saying I’d brushed my teeth, told her I was going to walk the dog — and giving her a quick hug and kiss goodnight. That was the last moment I ever saw her alive. Hours later, I was woken by flashing lights and a flashlight in my face, suddenly removed from the home I thought was safe. Alongside my little sister, I was put into the back of a police car, confused and terrified. She kept saying, “Papi killed Mommy,” but I didn’t understand the horrifying truth then. This episode sets the stage for everything that comes next — the investigation, the heartbreak, the years of unanswered questions, and the fight for justice. It’s the story of a little girl’s trauma and a family’s unraveling, told through my eyes. You’ll hear the fear, the confusion, and the desperate hope for answers that drove me to tell this story. Papi Killed Mommy is not just a true crime podcast — it’s a personal journey through loss, trauma, and the fight to reclaim a stolen childhood. This first episode is the foundation, the heartbreak, and the raw beginning of the story that needs to be heard. Join me as I open the door to my past and invite you to walk with me through the darkest night of my life. The man discussed in this podcast is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This podcast aims to share my personal story and raise awareness about my mother’s case. If you or anyone you know has any information related to my mother’s case, please contact the Sedona Police Department at (928) 282-3100. Your help could make a difference. 🐾✈️ Traveling to CrimeCon with my best friend, Dickie Birdie, comes with some unexpected expenses — his recent vet visit alone was $827. If you’d like to help make sure he’s safe and comfy on this trip, I’ve put together a small Amazon Wishlist with his travel essentials (like a stroller, pop‑up kennel, and car seat). Every bit of support means the world. 💙 🛒 Click here to check out Dickie Birdie’s Wishlist Visit the Website: For updates, exclusive content, and ways to support the journey, visit daughterofamurderedwoman.com. Stay connected and be part of the story. Trigger Warning: This episode discusses themes of domestic violence, abuse, and murder. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org for confidential support 24/7. You can help bring justice by signing and sharing the petition demanding a full homicide investigation into my mother’s murder. Despite the years that have passed, her case remains unresolved. Every signature counts in urging the authorities to take action and uncover the truth. Please join me by adding your voice here Support the show

  On July 8, 1993, my mother, Stephanie “Stacy” Wasilishin, spent the day struggling — at work, in her relationship, and in her spirit. It would be the last day of her life. In this episode, I walk you through the full timeline of my mother’s final hours, backed by details from the police case file, witness interviews, and phone records. I trace her movements from her final shift at Pietro’s restaurant in Sedona to the long, emotional phone calls she made that night — one to my dad, Craig, that lasted nearly two hours, and another to her sister, Wendy, just before 11 p.m. That was the same moment I walked into the living room to say goodnight for the last time. Three hours later, I was jolted awake by a flashlight in my face. A police officer told me my mom had gone to a friend’s house after a fight. I didn’t know it yet, but my mother had been shot — the medical examiner would later confirm she was killed with a large-caliber weapon, her hands up in defense. She died on the floor of her bedroom, while my three-year-old sister sat just feet away on the bed. What happened in those final moments is still clouded in contradiction and speculation. Her boyfriend, Russell Peterson — the father of my little sister — told police Stacy pulled the trigger first. But phone records show a different kind of urgency: before he ever dialed 911 at 1:40 a.m., he called his own father at 1:36 a.m. That one-minute phone call has never been explained or investigated. And yet, my sister — just three years old — told anyone who would listen: “Papi killed Mommy.” She said it over and over again. Thirteen times, to be exact. But no charges were ever filed. In this episode, you’ll hear my narration, excerpts from the official reports, and the actual 911 call that came in that night. You’ll hear Russell’s own words from the case file, where his account of what happened changes and contradicts itself. And you’ll hear the chilling police report describing the scene they found — my mother’s body, my baby sister’s voice, and Russell still holding the phone, blood on his hands. This is the story of how my family’s world shattered. And how, even then, the system failed to put the pieces together. “Papi Killed Mommy” is an independent true crime podcast told by me, Nikki — the daughter of a murdered woman. This story is deeply personal and still unresolved. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. 🖤 Help Me Bring My Mom’s Story to CrimeCon I’ve started a GoFundMe to raise money so I can attend CrimeCon this fall and share my mother’s story with thousands of true crime advocates, journalists, and potential allies. The funds will help cover the cost of a table, a photo backdrop, stickers, buttons, and merchandise — everything I need to amplify this case in person. As a thank you, anyone who donates will receive a handwritten thank-you card from me and an exclusive, first-generation "Papi Killed Mommy" merchandise sticker. It’s my way of showing gratitude and keeping you close to this journey. 👉https://gofund.me/04601762 🐾✈️ Traveling to CrimeCon with my best friend, Dickie Birdie, comes with some unexpected expenses — his recent vet visit alone was $827. If you’d like to help make sure he’s safe and comfy on this trip, I’ve put together a small Amazon Wishlist with his travel essentials (like a stroller, pop‑up kennel, and car seat). Every bit of support means the world. 💙 🛒 Click here to check out Dickie Birdie’s Wishlist If this episode moved you, please consider sharing it, rating it, or following the show.  Support the show

  Episode 3: In the Hours After In this episode, I take you into the hours immediately following my mother’s murder—hours I’ve spent my entire life trying to piece together. From the moment I was pulled from my bed and placed in a squad car beside my three-year-old sister, to the moment Russell Peterson, my mother’s boyfriend and the father of my sister, was inexplicably placed in the same squad car with us, covered in blood. Today, Ill read you my sister’s interview from just three hours after our mother’s death. You’ll hear her repeating the same heartbreaking phrase over and over: “Papi killed Mommy.” This interview is raw, painful, and real. It’s also revealing.  You’ll also hear, for the first time in full, Russell Peterson’s initial police interview. Last week, I shared snippets. This week, I’m giving you the entire thing—unedited, start to finish. His words. His version of events. I want you to hear exactly what the Sedona Police Department heard that night. This episode was emotionally brutal to create. I want to take a moment to thank my friend Ash from F That Pod for stepping in and helping me record my sister’s interview. Though the original version didn’t make it into this episode due to my amateur editing abilities, I’m grateful to Ash for her help and support. Please check her out at F That Pod or wherever you listen to podcasts. Ash did a TWO-part series on my mom. She’s incredible. Please go listen.  If you’ve been following my mother’s story and want to help me keep telling it, I’m asking for a birthday favor this year: I’ve launched a GoFundMe to help me represent my mom at CrimeCon. Right now, I can’t afford a banner, a tablecloth, or the merchandise I need to share her story properly. Every sticker, every button, every item helps me amplify my mother’s name. If you’re able to help, please visit: 👉 https://www.gofundme.com/f/this-is-my-birthday-wish-help-me-bring-my-mothers-story-to.  🐾✈️ Traveling to CrimeCon with my best friend, Dickie Birdie, comes with some unexpected expenses — his recent vet visit alone was $827. If you’d like to help make sure he’s safe and comfy on this trip, I’ve put together a small Amazon Wishlist with his travel essentials (like a stroller, pop‑up kennel, and car seat). Every bit of support means the world. 💙 🛒 Click here to check out Dickie Birdie’s Wishlist As a thank you, I’ll personally send you a handwritten card and a first-generation Papi Killed Mommy sticker. If you have any information regarding the death of my mother, Stephanie Marie Wasilishin, please contact the Sedona Police Department at (928) 282-3100. For updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more of my mom’s story, follow me on TikTok and Instagram:  @NicoleWasilishin @NicoleWasilishin This podcast is 100% independent. No sponsors. No production team. Just me, telling my mom’s story the only way I know how: truthfully. Every download, every share, and every comment matters more than you know. The support the show button is below  👇  👇  👇  👇  👇  Thank you for being here. I’ll keep telling this story until there’s no story left to tell… or no breath left in my body. Support the show

  In the previous episodes, I walked you through my mother’s final day, the chaotic hours after her death, and Russell Peterson’s first interview. But the story didn’t stop there. In this episode of Papi Killed Mommy, I take you deeper into July 10, 1993—the day after my mother’s murder—and into Russell’s second police interview, where his story starts to unravel. This was the interview where Russell’s narrative began to shift. In his own words, you’ll hear him pivot from blaming a supposed struggle over the gun… to suggesting my mother shot herself… to finally admitting he doesn’t know what happened at all. His version of events changes mid-conversation. And throughout the interrogation, he centers himself—his career, his finances, his struggles as a “provider”—while painting my mother as unstable, abusive, and manipulative. But this episode isn’t just Russell’s voice. I’ll also walk you through the interviews investigators conducted that same day—conversations with my grandmother, my aunt, and my mother’s coworkers. You’ll hear how my mother’s own family described the abuse she endured. You’ll hear how her coworkers misunderstood her depression and saw her as the problem. And you’ll hear the devastating moment my grandmother revealed that Russell had called her the day of my mother’s death to say my mom had “shot herself” You’ll hear Russell minimize past violent incidents, dismiss my mother's fears, and focus on the sacrifices he made to support her and her children. He claims he wasn’t angry about her rekindled conversations with my father. Yet he keeps circling back to him in his interview—volunteering the detail again and again. He admits he took my mother’s Disneyland savings to pay for his culinary school.  Next week, I’ll take you inside Russell Peterson’s final police interview—the last time he ever spoke to law enforcement about my mother’s death. If you’ve made it this far—thank you. This podcast is 100% independent. No sponsors. No production team. Just me—a daughter telling her mother’s story. I’ve worked hard to keep Papi Killed Mommy ad-free, but the truth is: producing a podcast is like having a second full-time job. I’ve launched a GoFundMe to help cover costs for CrimeCon this September, where I’ll be sharing my mother’s case with thousands of people. Every donation helps me create merch that keeps her story alive. And as a thank you—every single donor will receive a handwritten thank-you card and a first-generation Papi Killed Mommy sticker from me personally. I’m mailing out thank-you cards this weekend, and it’s honestly one of my favorite parts—getting to thank each person helping me fight for justice. 🐾✈️ Traveling to CrimeCon with my best friend, Dickie Birdie, comes with some unexpected expenses — his recent vet visit alone was $827. If you’d like to help make sure he’s safe and comfy on this trip, I’ve put together a small Amazon Wishlist with his travel essentials (like a stroller, pop‑up kennel, and car seat). Every bit of support means the world. 💙 🛒 Click here to check out Dickie Birdie’s Wishlist If you’re able to help, even a few dollars makes a difference.  Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/this-is-my-birthday-wish-help-me-bring-my-mothers-story-to And if you know anything about the death of Stephanie Wasilishin—my mom—please contact the Sedona Police Department at (928) 282-3100. Support the show

  Sunday, July 11, 1993. The day I learned my mother was dead. In this episode, I take you into the moment that shattered my childhood. That morning, my foster family drove me and my little sister to the Sedona Police Department. Inside a room filled with silver folding chairs and scattered toys, I sat frozen — until the only familiar face in the room, my mother’s boyfriend Russell Peterson, broke the news. “Your mom is gone.” He was the one who told me. Not a police officer. Not a therapist. No family member. Him. My sister played like nothing had happened, but my world collapsed. And just hours later, Russell signed us out of CPS custody and took us on a scenic Pink Jeep tour through Sedona — a “family outing” on the worst day of my life. That ride wasn’t about grief. It was about manipulation. He pushed me to say I wanted to live with him, using my little sister as leverage. Later that afternoon, Russell contacted police and asked to walk them through the house where my mother died. In a calm, detached tone, he reenacted the scene — contradicting himself repeatedly. He said my mom told him she was going to shoot him… then turned the gun on herself. He picked the gun up, put it away, then changed his mind and placed it back on the ground — before calling 911. He added new details: that his father found a bottle of Seagram’s in my mom’s bag after the shooting. Another attempt to make her look unstable — a pattern that never stopped. You’ll hear that walkthrough. You’ll hear detectives gently challenge his contradictions. And you’ll hear the line that’s haunted me for 30 years: “Whatever mindset she was in at that given moment… it’ll never be known.” But it could have been — if anyone had dug deeper. This episode also includes a interview with my father, Craig. He remembers a long, emotional call with my mom the night before she died — a call she knew Russell was recording. My dad’s story has never changed. But the case file summary of his interview? Doesn’t match what he actually said. I end this episode with one of the most vivid memories of my life — seeing my mother at her viewing. Blue dress. Blue makeup. Blue carnations. A sea of blue that made the world feel cold. I’ve hated the color ever since.   Next episode on Papi Killed Mommy I’ll take you inside Russell Peterson’s final police interview. His last story. His final contradictions. And the moment the investigation quietly fell apart. If you’ve made it this far — thank you. This podcast is 100% independent. No team. No studio. Just me, telling my mom’s story and fighting for justice. To support the show and help bring her case to CrimeCon, please consider donating:  👉 gofundme.com/f/this-is-my-birthday-wish-help-me-bring-my-mothers-story-to 🐾✈️ Traveling to CrimeCon with my best friend, Dickie Birdie, comes with some unexpected expenses — his recent vet visit alone was $827. If you’d like to help make sure he’s safe and comfy on this trip, I’ve put together a small Amazon Wishlist with his travel essentials (like a stroller, pop‑up kennel, and car seat). Every bit of support means the world. 💙 🛒 Click here to check out Dickie Birdie’s Wishlist Follow me on TikTok and Instagram @nicolewasilishin for updates and more ways to spread the word. If you have any information about the death of Stephanie Marie Wasilishin, please contact the Sedona Police Department at (928) 282-3100. Support the show

  It was three weeks before my 11th birthday, when my mother, Stacy Wasilishin, was killed. For weeks now, I’ve taken you back to July of 1993 — to the night she died, the hours after, and the painful days that followed. In this episode, we reach a turning point: the final interview Russell Peterson ever gave to police about my mother’s death. On September 3, 1993, detectives sat down with Russell for over 30 minutes. This was his fourth version of events, and by then his story had completely changed. He claimed my mom pulled his .44 Magnum from a closet shelf, stood eight feet away, and said, “Russell, I’m going to kill you.” He rambled about his career plans, expensive knives, and culinary dreams — but avoided talking about her, or the fact that her two young daughters were in the house that night. When pressed with the forensic evidence — that she couldn’t have fired the gun at that angle and that she was in a defensive posture — Russell admitted, “I can’t explain it.” He explained away my little sister’s words, “Papi killed Mommy,” saying she must have misunderstood when she saw him moving the gun. The detectives called him out directly: “Every time we talk to you, your story changes.” His response? He asked to leave. It was Friday, and he said he had to get to work. They let him walk out. That was the last time Russell Peterson ever spoke to police. Weeks later, he  dropped off his July phone bill — evidence that revealed a 1:36 a.m. call giving him at least three minutes to stage the scene before dialing 911. Investigators never subpoenaed that phone record, never followed up on the call, and by November 1993, the county attorney declared “insufficient evidence to prosecute.” Soon after, the Sedona Police Department even canceled further tests on the murder weapon. And just like that, the investigation into my mother’s death was over. But the story doesn’t end there. Next episode I’ll share one of the most devastating moments of my life — the first time I was finally alone with my little sister after our mother’s death. In the squad car, she told me “Papi killed Mommy.” She told the detectives, our foster family, and every adult who would listen. But one year later, on a long‑awaited Disneyland trip, those words were gone. Replaced with a version I never expected: “Mommy killed herself.” What happened in that year? How did her story change so drastically — and why? This podcast is completely independent. It’s just me, no production team, no corporate backing — working full‑time while pouring every spare hour into telling my mother’s story. If you’d like to help me bring her case to more people, especially as I prepare for CrimeCon this September, please consider donating to the GoFundMe linked below:  👉 Fundraiser by Nicole Wasilishin : Birthday Wish: Help me bring my moms case to crime con 🐾✈️ Traveling to CrimeCon with my best friend, Dickie Birdie, comes with some unexpected expenses — his recent vet visit alone was $827. If you’d like to help make sure he’s safe and comfy on this trip, I’ve put together a small Amazon Wishlist with his travel essentials (like a stroller, pop‑up kennel, and car seat). Every bit of support means the world. 💙 🛒 Click here to check out Dickie Birdie’s Wishlist You can also support the show directly using the “Support the Show” button at the bottom of these episode notes Follow me on TikTok and Instagram @nicole Support the show

  📍 Hi, my name is Nikki and I’m the daughter of a murdered woman. Welcome to a special bonus episode of Papi Killed Mommy. ⚠️ Before we begin, a quick trigger warning: this podcast contains discussions of domestic violence, homicide, and other potentially distressing topics. Listener discretion is advised. One of the questions I get asked most often is: What about your dad? What does he remember from that night? What does he think really happened? How does he feel all these years later? Today, you’ll finally hear his story — in his own words. This is unlike any episode I’ve released before. What you’re about to hear is my father’s full, unedited interview. Nothing cut. Nothing polished. Just raw audio — including my own questions. I’ve chosen not to edit myself out, because I want you to hear the conversation exactly as it happened. You’ll hear us overlap, stumble, even ramble a little — but that’s the point. This isn’t a script. This is real. 💔 My dad was one of the very last people to speak to my mom before she was killed. Their nearly two-hour phone call on July 8th, 1993, may have been the very spark that set Russell Peterson off. She told my dad she was leaving. She told him she was coming home. She even admitted she knew Russell was recording her calls — and she didn’t care. Yet despite how critical my father was to understanding the truth, investigators never once drove down to Phoenix to interview him in person in 1993. They never recorded his statement. They never transcribed it. Instead, they took a single phone call, dismissed what he told them, and left his words out of the official case file. When he spoke about the phone recorder, Russell’s drinking, and my mom’s plans to leave, he wasn’t met with interest — he was met with anger. They minimized him. They silenced him. That failure is still one of the most damaging gaps in my mom’s case. My dad has always carried the weight of knowing she was supposed to come back — that she was ready to pack up me, my sister, the dog, the cat, and come home. And when you hear his voice today, you’ll understand why this interview matters. 🎙️ It’s raw. It’s emotional. And it’s crucial. Because without my dad’s voice, the picture of who my mom was — and why she was taken from us — is incomplete. 💌 If this episode moves you, here’s how you can help keep my mom’s story alive: ✨ 👉 Support the Show — scroll down and tap the button at the bottom of the notes. Every bit helps me continue producing this podcast independently. ✨ 👉 GoFundMe for CrimeCon — help me share my mom’s story at CrimeCon this September. Your support covers merchandise, travel, and awareness. Every donor will receive a thank-you card 💌 and one of my first-generation Papi Killed Mommy stickers while supplies last. 🐾✈️ Traveling to CrimeCon with my best friend, Dickie Birdie, comes with some unexpected expenses — his recent vet visit alone was $827. If you’d like to help make sure he’s safe and comfy on this trip, I’ve put together a small Amazon Wishlist with his travel essentials (like a stroller, pop‑up kennel, and car seat). Every bit of support means the world. 💙 🛒 Click here to check out Dickie Birdie’s Wishlist ✨ 👉 Follow me on TikTok & Instagram: @nicolewasilishin for behind-the-scenes updates, clips, and more ❤️ 📞 And if you or anyone you know has any information about the death of my mother, Stephanie Marie Wasilishin, please con Support the show

  📍 Bonus Episode: Laurie Swift Remembers Stacy I’m Nikki—daughter of a murdered woman. This bonus episode features longtime friend Swifty sharing candid memories of my mom, Stacy, that bring her to life beyond the headlines. Recorded back in May, these clips are raw, unscripted, and mostly unreleased. Through Swifty's voice you’ll see a young Stacy who thrifted, cleaned obsessively, and lived through music like Aerosmith and Foghat. We’re halfway through this journey—six episodes complete, six more to go. The first half covered 1993, the year my mom was murdered. The second half will span the next three decades of silence, missed opportunities, and my fight for justice. Before moving forward, I want to pause and remind you: Stacy wasn’t just a case file. She was a daughter, sister, mother, and friend. 📞 Calls to Action If you believe Stacey’s story deserves another look, please reach out: Sedona Police Department • Phone: 928‑282‑3100 • Email: sfoley@sedonaaz.gov (Chief Stephanie Foley) Ask them to reopen Stephanie Marie Wasilishin’s cold case. Yavapai County Attorney’s Office • Phone: 928‑771‑3344 • Email: victim.services@yavapaiaz.gov Request reinvestigation and witness reconsideration. Sedona Red Rock News • Phone: 928‑282‑7795 • Email: editor@larsonnewspapers.com Encourage them to re-report the case from the family’s point of view. 🎗️ Support the Podcast & Merchandise Just yesterday I spent $650 (Sticker Mule), $110 (Vistaprint), and $25 (Zazzle)—nearly $785 total—to prepare merch for CrimeCon. I still need more shirts, stickers, and materials. Every donation helps keep my mom’s name visible. 👉 Donate here:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/this-is-my-birthday-wish-help-me-bring-my-mothers-story-to Every donor gets a first-generation Papi Killed Mommy sticker and a handwritten thank-you card. 🐾 Help Dickie Birdie Travel My best friend Dickie Birdie just had a vet bill of $827 to make sure he’s fit for CrimeCon. He still needs a few more small things for the trip, if you're willing.  👉 Check his Amazon Wishlist 💌 Special Thank-Yous 💖 Stacey Wheaton — my angel. You’ve carried this podcast more times than I can count. 💖 Alex — thank you for always supporting the show. 💖 Brittany Wells Art — a Kansas City-based artist, author, and true crime junkie who designed and PAID for my banners. Find her work in the Facebook group 👉 Brittany Wells Art — facebook.com/groups/brittanywellsart 🖌️  📲 Stay Up to Date Follow me on TikTok & Instagram: @nicolewasilishin for behind-the-scenes updates, merch drops, and reflections. 🔔 Next up: Episode 7 — “Mommy Killed Herself.” My sister, who had always said “Papi killed Mommy,” suddenly changes her story a year later. Was it coached? Manipulated? Or something more? Thank you for listening, supporting, and fighting for justice with me. This is Papi Killed Mommy. Support the show

   📍 Hi, I’m Nikki — the daughter of a murdered woman. Welcome back. This week, I take you back to 1993, when my mom’s case stalled—but my Aunt Wendy never stopped fighting. Together with Grandma Bea, they held on to hope, and now I carry their legacy as the third generation of Wasilishin women demanding justice for my mother Stacy Wasilishin. This cycle must stop— You’ll hear the story of my sister’s unsettling shift from “Papi killed Mommy” to “Mommy killed herself,” how a 1999 letter from Yavapai County Attorney Jim Landis laid out a path for renewed investigation that was never followed, and how the most poignant moment came when my sister reappeared in my life—only to vanish again. Today marks 1,858 days since she's called. And today is her 36th birthday—four years older than Mom ever lived to be. Kay, happy birthday. Please call me. We have so much to catch up on. Mom needs your help. I need your help. I’m sorry—sorry for everything. Please call. 💌 A huge thank you to Joanne and Mikayla — your support means everything in this ad-free journey.⬇️⬇️ Want to support the show directly? ⬇️⬇️ Hit the “Support the Show” button at the bottom of this episode’s page. Every dollar helps keep Papi Killed Mommy ad-free and gets Mom’s story in front of more people. 🛒 Support the Podcast — funds are still needed for CrimeCon travel and merch: GoFundMe 🐶 Limited editions on Dickie Birdie's Amazon Wishlist — My emotional support pup is CrimeCon-bound, too: Amazon Wishlist CALL TO ACTION — Together, we can demand justice Sedona Police Department 📞 (928) 282-3100 📧 sfoley@sedonaaz.gov Ask them to officially reactivate Mom’s case. Yavapai County Attorney’s Office 📞 (928) 771-3344 📧 ycao@yavapaiaz.gov Urge them to re-examine the evidence. Sedona Red Rock News 📞 (928) 282-7795 📧 editor@redrocknews.com Ask them to share this story from the family’s perspective. When we ALL speak up, they can’t ignore us. Next Week on Episode 8 In July 2020, I discovered that Mom’s case had quietly been reopened—and that a local paper had blindsided my family with two articles. A detective floated “suicide” as a cause of death, and an investigator’s email lit a fire under me to finally request the full case file… The file sat unopened for eight months. When I did open it, my life—and this case—changed forever. Support the show

  In this episode of Papi Killed Mommy, for the first time, I read three articles about my mom’s death: the original piece from 1993, and two follow-ups nearly three decades later in July 2020 by the Sedona Red Rock News. These articles shaped how the public saw my mom’s case. The 1993 article framed my mom’s murder as a “domestic fight,” erasing her identity and repeating Russell Peterson’s account uncritically through police statements. There was no context about domestic violence, no family voice, and no scrutiny of why no arrest was made despite the homicide ruling. That first story planted doubt and distorted the truth. In July 2020, after my aunt Wendy reignited the case, the Red Rock News finally returned to the story — but once again, my family was excluded. The July 15 article leaned almost entirely on law enforcement, recycled Peterson’s story, and framed my mom’s death as “maybe homicide, maybe suicide,” despite the medical examiner ruling it homicide. Missing was accountability for decades of inaction or any context about intimate partner violence. The July 27 article was the most damaging. It quoted Sgt. Michael Dominguez dismissing my family as “over-focused,” printed speculative suicide theories, emphasized my mom’s blood alcohol level without balance, and recycled Peterson’s contradictions. Most harmful of all, Dominguez’s reckless comments — published without challenge — led to his removal from the case. The Red Rock News didn’t just fail us; their reporting obstructed progress and retraumatized my family. I’ll never forget my reaction to reading these articles. I fell to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably, stunned that the word “suicide” was still being repeated decades later. Suicide was never on the table — except from the suspect’s mouth. Yet here it was, still being printed as though it carried weight. This episode also includes my first direct communication from Sedona PD in November 2020: an email from Sgt. Laura Leon. I read it word-for-word, then break down why it was so damaging — dismissive of me, minimizing my trauma, treating my mom’s case like closed paperwork, and telling me “everyone finds closure differently” instead of fighting for justice. That email crushed me, but it also lit the fire that pushed me to act. Episode 8 is a raw look at how journalism and law enforcement failed my mom — not just in 1993, but again in 2020. It’s about erasure, bias, and the harm caused when the people we’re supposed to trust don’t do their jobs. But it’s also about my determination to reclaim my mom’s story and demand accountability. 📣 CALL TO ACTION Your voice matters. Please take a few minutes to demand justice for my mom: Sedona Police Department 📞 (928) 282-3100 📧 sfoley@sedonaaz.gov ➡️ Ask them to officially reactivate Stacy’s case. Yavapai County Attorney’s Office 📞 (928) 771-3344 📧 ycao@yavapaiaz.gov ➡️ Urge them to re-examine the evidence and pursue accountability. Sedona Red Rock News 📞 (928) 282-7795 📧 editor@redrocknews.com ➡️ Demand they finally report this case from the family’s perspective. 💜 Support the Podcast & Dickie Birdie This podcast is 100% independent and ad-free. If you’d like to help me keep fighting for justice: 🛒Fundraiser by Nicole Wasilishin : Birthday Wish: Help me bring my moms case to crime con 🐶Dickie Birdie's wishlist Amazon.com Every call, email, share, and d Support the show

  In this special bonus episode of Papi Killed Mommy, I share my very first CrimeCon experience — a three-day whirlwind in Denver that was emotional, overwhelming, and unforgettable. The journey started on the road: 900 miles, 14 hours, my best friend Melissa by my side, and my emotional support pup, Dickie Birdie, curled up in the backseat. Between reroutes, pouring rain, thick fog, and deer threatening to dart across the road, the drive was intense. We kept each other laughing and passed the time listening to hours of Crime Weekly. By the time we rolled into Denver at 3:00 a.m., I was exhausted but ready. Nothing could have prepared me for the emotions of walking into the convention hall the next morning. Within minutes, I spotted Sherrilyn Dale — one of the first creators to cover my mom’s story, and someone who had donated to help get me to CrimeCon. I burst into tears. Suddenly I was surrounded by people who had spoken my mom’s name out loud, who had amplified her story on their platforms. The rest of the weekend felt surreal. Podcasters I’d admired from afar — Generation Why, Killer Queens, Crime Salad, Moms & Mysteries, Navigating Advocacy — all stopped by. Media giants like Court TV, Dateline, and Law and Crime were everywhere. But the most powerful part wasn’t the “big names.” It was the listeners, survivors, families, and advocates who came to my booth, looked me in the eye, and told me they cared about my mom’s story. CrimeCon also forced me to face a big decision. A company approached me about monetizing my podcast. At first, I resisted — I’ve always been afraid of looking like I was profiting from my mom’s death. But after conversations with other creators and advocates, I realized this isn’t about profit. It’s about sustainability. If I want to keep sharing my mom’s story, traveling to events, and building this platform, I can’t keep relying only on my listeners to carry the financial burden. So, I’ve decided to monetize the rest of Season One and all of Season Two — not for me, but for my mom, for justice, and for every family like mine. And here’s the announcement: Season Two of Papi Killed Mommy is officially happening. This season belongs to my mom and will continue until justice comes, but Season Two will expand to cover other domestic violence cases. My best friend Melissa — my partner in Denver, my rock through CrimeCon — will join me as co-host. Together, we’ll bring new voices, new cases, and new energy to the show. CrimeCon also made one thing painfully clear: despite encouraging words from officials, my mom’s case is not being actively investigated. Emails from both the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office and Sedona PD reveal contradictions and carefully chosen language — “ongoing investigation,” “annual review,” “if any” new information. In the end, Sedona PD admitted the truth: this is a cold case review, not an open homicide investigation. My mom deserves better. So here’s my call to action. Please stand with me:  📞 Call the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office at (928) 771-3344 📧 Email them at ycao@yavapaiaz.gov — demand they pursue justice. 📞 Call the Sedona Police Department at (928) 282-3100 📧 Email sfoley@sedonaaz.gov — insist they reactivate my mom’s case. 📞 Contact the Sedona Red Rock News at (928) 282-7795 📧 Email editor@redrocknews.com — tell them to report this story from the family’s perspective. CrimeCon reminded me that I am not alone. People care. My mom’s story matters. And with your help, I’ll never stop fighting for justice. Support the show