Episode 18: Live with Crime Weekly

Three weeks ago, I was exhausted.

After years of telling the same story, asking the same questions, and fighting the same battles, I was ready to walk away. I was frustrated, discouraged, and wondering whether anyone was really listening.

Then CrimeCon happened.

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my journey to Las Vegas for CrimeCon 2026, where I had the opportunity to join Crime Weekly Live alongside Stephanie Harlowe and Derek Levasseur to share my mother's story with a room full of people willing to listen.

From forgetting my merchandise bag thirty minutes into the drive, to getting lost inside Caesars Palace, to navigating panic attacks, chronic pain, and overwhelming emotions, this episode is an honest look at what happened before, during, and after one of the most important weekends of my life.

For the first time, I found myself standing on a stage in front of hundreds of people asking them to do what my family has been asking for more than three decades:

Listen.

Listen to the evidence.

Listen to the interviews.

Listen to the facts.

And decide for yourself whether the death of my mother deserves another look.

I also share my experience reconnecting with Megan Tomlinson, whose journey has become a powerful reminder that answers can still come, even after tragedy. Through her advocacy organization, A Silver Lining of Hope, Megan has transformed unimaginable loss into a mission of support, awareness, and hope for other families navigating homicide investigations and the search for justice.

Her story reminded me of something I desperately needed to remember:

Sometimes people do get answers.

Sometimes people do get justice.

Sometimes the fight is worth it.

Since returning home from CrimeCon, the momentum has continued.

In this episode I discuss:

• My appearance on Crime Weekly Live

• The overwhelming support from attendees and listeners

• New outreach efforts to public officials and government agencies

• Additional complaints and requests for assistance

• My interview with VT

• New opportunities with journalists, creators, and investigators

• Why CrimeCon completely changed my outlook on this fight

• The response we received after sending the latest media coverage to Russell Peterson

CrimeCon did not give me answers.

What it gave me was something I wasn't expecting.

Hope.

Watch Crime Weekly Live

Crime Weekly Live featuring the homicide of Stacy Wasilishin:

https://youtu.be/o8Kls5j0Uyk

A Silver Lining of Hope

Learn more about Megan Tomlinson's advocacy organization:

https://www.silverliningofhope.com/

A Silver Lining of Hope provides support, resources, advocacy, and hope for families affected by homicide, missing persons cases, and violent crime while helping keep victims' stories alive and in the public eye.

Call To Action

For more than 33 years, my family has fought for answers in the homicide of my mother, Stacy Wasilishin.

Stacy Wasilishin was killed in Sedona, Arizona, on July 9, 1993. The Medical Examiner ruled her death a homicide. More than three decades later, no one has been charged, and the case remains unresolved.

Over the years, our family has contacted local law enforcement, prosecutors, the Arizona Attorney General, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Justice, and numerous public officials seeking answers.

Most recently, the Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide responded to our request for assistance and advised that it does not have jurisdiction over municipal police departments such as the Sedona Police Department. The Ombudsman directed concerns regarding this matter to Sedona city leadership, including the City Manager and City Council.

We are now asking supporters to respectfully request transparency, accountability, oversight, and answers regarding this unresolved homicide investigation.

If you choose to contact any of these agencies or officials, please remain respectful and professional.

This is NOT a request for harassment, threats, personal attacks, or misconduct complaints.

It IS a request for transparency, accountability, and answers for a family that has spent more than 33 years seeking justice.

Questions supporters may wish to ask include:

• Why does a homicide ruled a homicide by the Medical Examiner remain unresolved after more than 33 years?

• What oversight exists for an unsolved homicide investigation of this age?

• What resources are currently being devoted to the investigation?

• Is an independent review of the investigation warranted?

• What steps are being taken to ensure this case receives the attention it deserves?

• Why did Yavapai County Attorney Jim Landis request renewed investigation of this case in 1999, and what became of those efforts?

Contact Information

Sedona Police Department (928) 282-3100 https://www.sedonaaz.gov/police

Sedona City Manager's Office (928) 203-5199 [email protected]

Sedona City Council https://www.sedonaaz.gov/your-government/departments/city-clerk/council-commissions-committees-boards/city-council/contact-the-entire-city-council

Yavapai County Attorney (928) 771-3344 https://yavapaiaz.gov/County-Attorney

Arizona Department of Public Safety (602) 223-2000 https://www.azdps.gov

Arizona POST (602) 223-2514 https://post.az.gov

Arizona Attorney General (602) 542-5025 https://www.azag.gov/complaints

Governor Katie Hobbs (602) 542-4331 https://azgovernor.gov/engage/form/contact-governor-hobbs

Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide (602) 277-7292 https://www.azoca.gov/complaint-procedure/complaint-form/

U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division (202) 514-3847 https://civilrights.justice.gov

And one final request.

For more than 33 years, I have believed that somebody out there knows something.

People talk.

Secrets are shared.

Stories are told.

Somewhere along the way, someone heard something, saw something, was told something, or knows something they have never reported.

Maybe it seemed unimportant at the time.

Maybe you assumed someone else already knew.

Maybe you've carried it for years without realizing how significant it could be.

But after more than three decades, I still believe the truth exists outside of police reports and case files.

I believe someone out there knows something.

If you are that person, or if you have information about the homicide of Stacy Wasilishin, no matter how small it may seem, I am asking you to please contact the Sedona Police Department.

I am begging you.

Thirty-three years is a long time to wait for answers.

My family deserves answers.

My mother deserves answers.

And if you know something, now is the time to come forward.

My mother's name was Stacy Wasilishin.

She was 32 years old when she was killed.

She deserves answers.

Justice delayed should not mean justice denied.

Thank you for listening.

— Nikki

It's been 36 days since the last episode of Papi Killed Mommy. Lots to fill you in on.

In this episode, I sit down and talk openly about burnout, obsession, grief, media attention, CrimeCon Vegas, and the emotional reality of spending five years living inside my mother's homicide case every single day.

Over the last few months, my mom's case has received major media attention, including front-page local coverage, a national article from A&E, and now a brand-new feature from The Independent https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/cold-case-murder-stephanie-wasilishin-tiktok-b2968369.html after a journalist discovered me through the CrimeCon Facebook community.

We talk about what that coverage means to me, why media pressure has always been the goal, and how surreal it feels preparing to walk onto a stage with Crime Weekly at CrimeCon 2026 after starting this journey alone on TikTok years ago.

But this episode also goes somewhere I never expected…

I talk honestly about hitting a wall with true crime. I don't see my self going forward with other cases.

After years of reading police reports, autopsy reports, case files, and reliving trauma publicly online, I've started questioning whether I can continue existing solely inside this world emotionally and creatively.

And somehow… that led to the accidental launch of an entirely different podcast.

Introducing: Nanny Nikki's Imagination Station https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nanny-nikkis-imagination-station/id1896688793 — where turning the page is just the beginning.

A brand-new children's storytelling podcast inspired by my work with kids, imagination, storytelling, voices, characters, and creativity.

Episode two, Dickie Birdie Has Two Names, is an original story inspired by my tiny senior chihuahua, Dickie Birdie — and honestly, creating it may have been the happiest I've felt creatively in years.

For the first time in a long time, I created something joyful instead of painful.

In this episode we also somehow spiral into: • kidnapped classroom hermit crabs. I'm a Crabnapper • why the hermit crab trade is heartbreaking. • senior rescue dogs • Arizona heat • TikTok violations • emotional exhaustion • media pressure • CrimeCon prep chaos • and whether I'm literally just waiting for a deathbed confession at this point

So basically… a normal week in my life.

If you're coming to CrimeCon Vegas, come say hi. I'll be at my booth with merch, framed articles, giveaway signed front page articles, and Dickie Birdie riding around in his tiny red stroller.

🐾 Support Nikk's zoo of rescue animals, senior pets, and apparently now hermit crabs: Amazon Wishlist

Thank you for continuing to keep my mom's name alive after all these years.

I'll see you at CrimeCon… or I'll see you right back here after.

In this episode of Papi Killed Mommy, Nikki shares a major turning point in her mother Stephanie Wasilishin's case — from national media recognition… to a shift in strategy… to one of the most personal decisions she's made in 33 years.

After being told there is no legal path forward without a confession, Nikki opens up about what the last month has actually looked like behind the scenes — the frustration, the burnout, and the moment everything changed.

Because this episode marks something important:

Momentum.

🎙️ Episode Highlights

📰 A&E Delivers — National Feature Released On April 9, 2026, A&E published a national article on Stephanie Wasilishin's case — bringing long-overdue visibility to a story that has largely gone unheard for decades.

📰 Read the article here: https://www.aetv.com/articles/stephanie-wasilishin

This moment represents more than just coverage — it's validation, visibility, and the beginning of something bigger.

🎧 The Last 33 Days — What Changed

This episode walks through:

• Being told the case cannot move forward without a confession
• The emotional aftermath of that reality
• Taking a step back — and what that looked like
• The realization that this case needs bigger media, bigger platforms, and more pressure
• Why television and national exposure are key to movement in cold cases

🎤 CrimeCon 2026 — Next Steps

With CrimeCon approaching, Nikki is preparing to take this story directly to creators, networks, and anyone willing to listen.

This is no longer just about telling the story.

It's about getting it in front of the right people.

📱 Follow Nikki in Real Time

For updates, behind-the-scenes advocacy, and ongoing developments:

👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@nicolewasilishin

✊ Sign the Petition — Justice for Stephanie Wasilishin

👉 https://www.change.org/justiceforstacy

Every signature helps increase visibility and keeps pressure on this case.

🐾 Dickie Birdie & Senior Dog + Kitty Wishlist

I'm not asking for support for myself.

But I will ask for my animals.

They are my babies — my dogs and my cats — and right now, they're all getting older at the same time. Living in Arizona, the extreme heat makes it really hard to keep them comfortable and safe through the summer.

This wishlist includes things like cooling mats, food, and basic items to help them get through the heat — especially for dogs like Jake who struggle the most in the warmer months.

I also have my 16-year-old cat, Manny, whose kidneys are starting to go. He has a prescription for kidney care food that I have not been able to fill yet, and that's something I'm really trying to get for him as soon as possible.

If you're in a position to help at all — even something small — it truly means more than you know. And if not, just being here and listening is everything.

👉 https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/49E74TM4J5D8

📣 If You Have Information

If you have any information related to this case — no matter how small — or if you know Russell Bennett Peterson or have ever crossed paths with him, please come forward.

📧 [email protected]

Sedona Police Department: 📞 (928) 282-3100

Please only reach out if you have legitimate information that could help move this case forward.

And then… there's this.

For the first time in 33 years… Nikki is no longer waiting.

After being told that a confession is the only way forward, she made the decision to stop sitting on the sidelines — and step directly into the space she's been kept out of for decades.

A message was sent.

To Russell Bennett Peterson.

Requesting a conversation. Face to face. On camera.

An opportunity to speak. To explain. To tell the truth.

The message has been read.

There has been no response.

Yet.

This episode is not the end of anything.

It's the beginning of the next phase.

And this time… it's personal.

Every time I sat down to write the script about what has happened in the last 30 days in my mom's case, I got stuck. Angry. Frustrated. Completely overwhelmed.

So this episode isn't really written.

Instead, I walked into the studio, turned on the microphone, and treated this the same way I treat my morning TikTok videos — like a vlog. Just sitting down and talking through everything that has happened.

Because a lot has happened.

In early February, true crime creator Stephanie Harlowe released a two-part deep dive into my mother's case, focusing on the interrogations of Russell Peterson. Between the two videos, Stephanie spent more than four and a half hours analyzing the evidence, timelines, and statements in this case.

If you haven't seen those yet, you can watch them here:

Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-OckJoNghk

Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOqvB1j2cGI

Watching someone dissect the story that has defined my life since I was ten years old was overwhelming, but also incredibly validating. Tens of thousands of people listened to those interrogation recordings and heard the same things my family has been saying for decades.

For a moment, it gave me hope.

Shortly after that, I finally received something I had been requesting for months — the updated case file from Yavapai County, including crime scene photographs from the night my mom was killed that I had never seen before.

Seeing my childhood home frozen in time like that was surreal.

Some things I remembered immediately — the blanket on the couch, my mom's plants, the telescope she bought me because I loved space.

Other things felt completely unfamiliar, like I was looking at the house through someone else's eyes.

But one photo stopped me in my tracks.

In the kitchen, on the bar counter, there was a children's canvas craft with crayons and markers scattered around it — something my sister and I had been coloring while my mom helped us.

Because when people look at my mom's case, I want them to see what I see: a loving mother who spent her time doing crafts with her kids.

Not the story that was written about her after she died.

This episode also covers the long-awaited meeting my family had with the Yavapai County Attorney's Office on February 27th — a meeting I had been pushing for since launching this podcast.

After months of emails, media pressure, and requests, we finally sat down with them.

And within minutes, I realized something devastating.

They weren't there to move the case forward.

They were there to explain why they wouldn't.

According to the county attorney, the only way this case can move forward now would be with a confession or a confrontation call.

After more than thirty years… the system is essentially asking the family to solve the case ourselves.

That moment left me feeling something I didn't expect after fighting this hard for this long:

Defeated.

But even in the middle of that feeling, there are still things moving forward.

In this episode I also share some unexpected updates, including:

• Signing my contract to attend CrimeCon 2026 in Las Vegas • Returning to Creator's Row with a booth for Papi Killed Mommy • And being invited to appear on stage with Stephanie Harlowe and Derrick Levasseur for a live Crime Weekly show

I also recently sat down for an interview with A&E Digital, and they will be releasing an article about my mom's case next month.

Right now, I don't know exactly what the next step in this fight will be.

But I do know this:

This isn't the end.

You can follow my daily updates on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicolewasilishin

If you want to support efforts to reopen my mom's case, you can sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/demand-a-complete-homicide-investigation-for-the-murder-of-stephanie-marie-wasilishin

Contact the podcast: [email protected]

If you have investigative skills, private investigator connections, or information that could help move this case forward, please reach out.

In this episode of Papi Killed Mommy, Nikki shares jaw‑dropping real‑time developments in her mother Stephanie Wasilishin's cold case — from viral TikTok traction, to national recognition, to major media momentum and strategic advocacy work that's finally putting this case in front of the right eyes.

This episode covers everything that's happened in the last 35 days: documentary‑style updates, personal reflections, and exactly what has shifted since the last episode — including acknowledgment from major creators and outlets who've helped amplify Stephanie's story.

🎙️ Episode Highlights

✨ Stephanie Harlowe True crime creator Stephanie Harlowe — YouTuber, podcaster, researcher, and co‑host of Crime Weekly — saw one of Nikki's TikToks and reached out. Stephanie has agreed to feature Stephanie Wasilishin's case on her YouTube channel, and she's currently reviewing case files and interrogation audio. This is a huge moment of visibility for a case that's stayed in the shadows for decades.

• 📺 Stephanie Harlowe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephanieharlowe

• 📱 Stephanie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanieharlowe

📰 A&E Recognition – Mikey Brieaddy Cold cases influencer Mikey Brieaddy included Stephanie Wasilishin's case in an A&E Crime + Investigation article highlighting the "5 Cold Cases True Crime Influencer Mike Brieaddy Most Wants to See Solved" — a nod that puts national spotlight on this long‑overlooked story.

• 📰 Read the A&E article here: https://www.aetv.com/articles/the-5-cold-cases-true-crime-influencer-mike-brieaddy-most-wants-to-see-solved

• 📱 Mikey Brieaddy on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@makingatruecrimerer?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

• 📺 Mike's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@makingatruecrimerer

📂 Case Work & Advocacy

This episode goes deep into the ongoing legal and investigative push:

🔹 Civil rights packet sent to attorneys — documents, timelines, and evidence packaged and mailed to civil rights lawyers, searching for someone who will take this case seriously.

🔹 UPDATED Records requests — new case files and crime scene photos requested, including a quote being obtained for these records.

🔹 Upcoming meeting with Yavapai County Attorney's Office — February 27, 2026 — Nikki and her aunt are driving to Prescott to confront the long silence and demand answers about why years of inaction and inconsistency went unexplained.

💰 Support the Investigation & Story

Pushing for justice costs money. Your support directly helps with things like public records costs, travel, and storytelling infrastructure:

🔗 GoFundMe — Case files, crime scene photos & Prescott travel: https://gofund.me/7ad47648b

🔗 GoFundMe — Book ghostwriter fund: https://gofund.me/aa526e170

Every contribution helps keep this work going. And even if you can't donate — sharing, following, and engaging matters.

📱 Follow Nikki in Real Time

For the most up‑to‑date updates and behind‑the‑scenes advocacy: 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@nicolewasilishin?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

📣 Call to Action

If you believe this cold case deserves accountability — especially given the inconsistencies and unanswered questions — you can respectfully reach out to the office now handling the investigation:

Yavapai County Attorney's Office 📍 Prescott, Arizona 📞 (928) 771‑3300 📧 [email protected]

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⚠️ Trigger Warning This episode discusses domestic violence, homicide, trauma, panic attacks, and systemic failures in law enforcement and media. Listener discretion is advised.

🎧 Bonus Episode: Unraveling

It's been one week since I hit publish on Episode Twelve. One week since I said, "Season One is over." And in that week — I've unraveled.

I thought finishing would feel like relief. Like release. But it hasn't.

It's felt like grief. Like failure. Like drowning.

Because it's the end, and still — no charges. No arrest. Nothing.

Thirty-two years later, and it feels like I failed her. Like I am falling apart while the system shrugs.

This episode isn't planned. It isn't polished. It's me trying to breathe. To talk about what Season One did to me — and why I can't walk away. Because this story isn't finished — and neither am I.

🎬 The Studio That Promised and Stalled

In February 2024, I signed with a production studio that said they believed in my mother's story. They promised to build a pitch deck, to sell it to a network, to bring her case to television.

I waited. I trusted. I delivered everything they asked for.

Twenty months later — nothing. No pitch. No sale. No cameras. Just the same excuse on repeat:

"It's hard to sell a story that doesn't have an ending."

Let me be clear: My mother doesn't have an ending because the people in charge refused to give her one. That's not a creative problem. That's a justice problem.

I was gaslit and dragged along for nearly two years while my mother's story sat in storage. But that ends soon.

In under 100 days, my contract expires. When it does, her story comes back to me.

And when that happens — I will take it anywhere that will listen. Filmmakers. Journalists. Documentary students. Networks. Anyone willing to give her truth the screen time it deserves.

Because if they won't build it, I will.

💔 How You Can Help Right Now

1️⃣ Say Her Name Say it out loud. Post it. Write it. 👉 Stacy Marie Wasilishin Make the algorithm learn it.

2️⃣ Ask for Accountability You have every right to request updates and clarity. Use your voice — respectfully, publicly, and on record.

Yavapai County Attorney's Office 📧 [email protected] 📞 (928) 771-3344 ✉️ 255 E Gurley St, Prescott, AZ 86301

Sedona Police Department 📧 [email protected] 📞 (928) 282-3100

Ask clearly:

"Why was the death of Stacy Wasilishin closed without charges, and has the case been reviewed since 2020?"

Red Rock News (Larson Newspapers) 📧 [email protected]

"The narrative matters. Accuracy matters. Words shape cases."

Ask them why they aren't covering this story now that it's being publicly revisited by her daughter.

3️⃣ Sign & Share the Petition 🖋️ Justice for Stacy Marie Wasilishin — Change.org https://www.change.org/p/justice-for-stacy-marie-wasilishin Every signature proves people are paying attention.

4️⃣ Stream & Share Season One Every play counts as proof that this story matters. 🎧 Apple Podcasts | Spotify

5️⃣ Follow and Amplify TikTok → @nicolewasilishin Instagram → @nicolewasilishin Share the clips. Tag the outlets. Keep the momentum alive.

6️⃣ Support the Mission 🛒 Amazon Equipment Wishlist → https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/49E74TM4J5D8 💰 GoFundMe for Merch & Travel → https://www.gofundme.com/f/this-is-my-birthday-wish-help-me-bring-my-mothers-story-to

These links keep the merch table stocked, the equipment running, and the advocacy alive. Every magnet, every mic cable, every sticker = one more chance to say her name in public.

If you work in film, journalism, investigative audio, or documentary production — or know someone who does — contact me directly: 📧 [email protected]

When the countdown hits zero, I'm walking this story into the light.

💜 Domestic Violence Is an Epidemic 1 in 3 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. The risk of homicide rises 75% when a woman tries to leave.

If this episode brings something up for you, please reach out:

National Domestic Violence Hotline 📞 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) 💬 Text START to 88788 🌐 www.thehotline.org

You are not alone. You deserve to be safe.

🕯️ Final Words

This show was built from grief, drywall dust, and a daughter's refusal to accept silence. It was recorded in panic and purpose. It was made by hand, by heart, by sheer stubborn love.

Season One may be complete, but the fight is not.

Because silence is not peace. Because failure is not the end. Because I am still here.

My name is Nikki Wasilishin. I am the daughter of a murdered woman. And this — this is me Unraveling.

Bonus: "Make Noise" — Melissa joins the mic

In this special bonus episode, Nikki introduces Melissa—a fellow teacher, friend, and the new co-host helping carry Stacy's story forward. Together, they lay out exactly how you can help: get the case in front of media, apply public pressure, sign the petition, contact officials, and send tips or cases for Season 2.

What's inside

• Why media pressure matters—and how even small platforms help

• A direct call for journalists, podcasters, YouTubers & bloggers to cover Stacy's case

• Concrete actions: sign, call, email, share, and submit tips

• Season 2: how to pitch cases involving DV, cold cases, or accountability gaps

Do something today

Share this story with media If you know someone in press (local paper, college newsroom, blogger, podcaster, YouTuber—any size), send them this episode and ask them to cover Stacy's case. If you are media, contact Nikki directly: 📧 [email protected]

Sign & share the petition Add your name and pass it on. Every signature increases public pressure. 🔗 Petition: https://www.change.org/p/demand-a-complete-homicide-investigation-for-the-murder-of-stephanie-marie-wasilishin

Call / email officials Ask for a full review and that the case be presented to a grand jury.

• Yavapai County Attorney's Office Prescott: (928) 771-3344 • Camp Verde: (928) 567-7717 Email: [email protected]

• Sedona Police Department (Non-Emergency) Main: (928) 282-3100 • Front Office: (928) 203-5002

Ask local media to cover it

• Sedona Red Rock News — Newsroom: (928) 282-7795 • [email protected] Urge balanced, ongoing reporting and note that the community is watching.

Send a tip (or share a memory)

If you know anything about Stacy's case—or knew her in Downers Grove, Phoenix, or Sedona—reach out. Anonymous tips welcomed. 📧 [email protected] Social: @nicolewasilishin (TikTok/Instagram)

Season 2: Case submissions (open)

We're collecting DV-related stories, cold cases, or cases with accountability gaps. Include names, dates/locations, a short timeline, links to articles/records, and your contact info. 📧 [email protected]

Support the show & community events

We're keeping the GoFundMe open to fund booths/merch at school & community events (like the Fall Festival) so Stacy's name reaches new people. Thank you for helping. 👉 GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/this-is-my-birthday-wish-help-me-bring-my-mothers-story-to

Dickie Birdie's wish list is still active—stuffies & toys make his day. 👉 Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/49E74TM4J5D8?ref_=wl_share

DO A GOOD DEED SECTION:

This week has weighed heavy on me. After releasing today's episode, I was contacted by someone who found a cat abandoned on her property. This poor kitty, Slim, has a broken front paw and needs surgery.When I clicked on her GoFundMe, I saw something that broke me even more: not a single donation. She's trying to raise $1,400 to save his paw. She had only $25.I only had $50 left until payday — but I gave it, because I couldn't stand seeing "$0 donated." Whenever I've needed help, I've asked, and somehow the universe has answered. Today, I wanted to be part of that answer for her.She still has a long way to go, and I know what it's like to feel helpless when an animal you love is suffering. If you feel called, please consider donating or sharing. Even $5 helps. Together, we can save Slim's paw and give him the future he deserves.

GoFundMe link:

https://gofund.me/e8245f703

Sometimes kindness is the loudest revolution we can make.

Safety resources

If you or someone you know needs help: National Domestic Violence Hotline — 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Call, text, or chat 24/7.

Credits — Host: Nikki Wasilishin • Co-Host: Melissa Field • Series: Papi Killed Mommy (Bonus) Contact for media & tips: [email protected]

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 [email protected] — demand they pursue justice.

📞 Call the Sedona Police Department at (928) 282-3100 📧 Email [email protected] — insist they reactivate my mom's case.

📞 Contact the Sedona Red Rock News at (928) 282-7795 📧 Email [email protected] — 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

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: [email protected] (Chief Stephanie Foley) Ask them to reopen Stephanie Marie Wasilishin's cold case.

Yavapai County Attorney's Office • Phone: 928‑771‑3344 • Email: [email protected] Request reinvestigation and witness reconsideration.

Sedona Red Rock News • Phone: 928‑282‑7795 • Email: [email protected] 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.

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