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.

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