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After nearly two months of silence, Nikki returns.

In Episode 13 of Papi Killed Mommy, Nikki steps back behind the microphone to reflect on what happened after the end of Season One—and what it feels like when a story doesn't end with charges, arrests, or accountability.

This episode is an update, a reckoning, and a continuation.

Nikki walks listeners through the moment she believed her podcast had finally forced movement in her mother's 32-year-old homicide case—an August 28th email from the Yavapai County Attorney's Office stating that additional investigation had been requested from Sedona Police. She shares how that news followed her to CrimeCon, where she told anyone who would listen that the podcast was working… and how that same moment caught the attention of a reporter from The U.S. Sun.

What followed was familiar: silence, "no comment," and a story that ultimately never ran.

For the first time, Nikki details the ten-day stretch of unanswered emails to the Yavapai County Attorney's Office, the moment she switched from her personal email to the Papi Killed Mommy account, and the response she finally received on November 25th—brief, noncommittal, and once again leaving more questions than answers.

But this episode isn't only about institutional silence.

Just one day before that response, Nikki's local paper, the Cave Creek Carefree Independent, published the first mainstream print article about her mother's case since 2022. In this episode, Nikki reads the article in full and reflects on what responsible, thoughtful journalism looks like—and why being heard matters.

Cave Creek woman turns lifelong trauma into advocacy for murdered mother - NewsBreak

As Christmas approaches, Nikki reflects on memory, grief, and the weight of a 32nd holiday season without her mother. She shares newly restored home video from Christmas 1989, the moments that survive only on old VHS tapes, and how those stolen memories continue to fuel her fight.

Episode 13 also looks forward.

Nikki talks candidly about burnout, time, and the realities of advocating while working full-time. She shares how a recent conversation sparked the possibility of turning the podcast into a book, what comes next as her current studio contract nears its end, and why 2026 may mark a pivot toward civil litigation, documentary work, or both.

Finally, Nikki introduces Season Two—beginning with the case of Amber Haines, another domestic violence death with haunting parallels to her mother's story.

This episode contains discussions of domestic violence and homicide. Listener discretion is advised. As always, the individual discussed in this series is innocent until proven guilty. blah, blah, blah

The story didn't end. The fight didn't stop. She's still here.

I'm Baaack...

⚠️ 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.

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

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

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 [email protected].
• 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

Bonus: Cheryl remembers Stacy (Downers Grove '76–'77)

In this bonus episode, I sit down with Cheryl—one of the few friends willing to remember my mom out loud. For 45 minutes we go back to 1976–77: unincorporated Downers Grove summers, the black-lagoon pool in Phoenix, eighth-row Kansas tickets worth getting fired for, bedroom-window entrances, "Free Bird" on a battered karaoke box, and the late-night calls that began, "Cheryl, baby… did I tell you how much I love you?"

This isn't paperwork; it's texture. It's Stacy before the headlines—fun-loving, tough on the outside, soft at the center—and a friendship that kept showing up even when life got hard.

What's inside

• How Stacy landed in Downers Grove and instantly built a tribe

• Party stories, near-misses, and neighborhood nicknames (John Boy, Marty, Larry & Jerry)

• Phoenix memories: tubing the river, the black-lagoon pool, and that Kansas concert

• Late-'80s/early-'90s phone calls—what they did (and didn't) say

• Why some memories stayed off-mic on purpose

• Production note: my first remote interview on Riverside (two brief audio dropouts; conversation preserved)

Cover art I tracked down the airport photo Cheryl mentions (she's in The Loop radio tee, taking my mom to fly back to Phoenix) and made it this episode's cover. It shows on Spotify; Apple Podcasts may not display it after my Libsyn switch.

Call to Action: Keep Stacy's name moving

If you knew Stacy in Downers Grove, Phoenix, or Sedona—or you knew Russell Peterson—please share what you remember. Even a small detail can matter.

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

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

Sedona Red Rock News Newsroom: (928) 282-7795 • Tips/press: [email protected]

Be respectful and factual when you reach out. If you're contacting the paper, include your name, best call-back number, and any documentation or links.

Share a memory or a tip with me

📧 [email protected] DMs open: @nicolewasilishin (TikTok/Instagram). Tell me if you want your message read on air or kept anonymous.

Season 2: Case submissions (open now)

We're collecting cases for Season 2 (DV-related, cold cases, or cases with accountability gaps). Send pitches, timelines, links, and how we can reach you: 📧 [email protected]

Support the show & community events

We're keeping the GoFundMe open to help with upcoming appearances and community events—like my school's Fall Festival—so we can keep printing merch and saying yes to every booth we can find. Thank you for helping us keep Stacy's name in motion. 👉 GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/this-is-my-birthday-wish-help-me-bring-my-mothers-story-to

Also: Dickie Birdie's wish list is still active. If you want to make his day, he loves toys and stuffies—it's the highlight of his day when a package arrives. 🐶💛 👉 Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/49E74TM4J5D8?ref_=wl_share

Safety resources

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

Credits — Host: Nikki Wasilishin • Guest: Cheryl Mendel • Recording: Riverside (remote) • Edit: minimal; select private moments removed at guest request

If this episode moved you, follow, rate, and share Papi Killed Mommy. Keeping Stacy's name in motion helps more than you know.

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

Seven hours. Twelve episodes. Three decades. And one promise: I would tell you everything.

32 years ago, my mother, Stacy Marie Wasilishin, was murdered inside our home in Sedona, Arizona. Her death was ruled a homicide. No one was ever charged.

I have spent the last four years fighting to change that — and this season has been that fight.

If you've listened from Episode 1 through today: Thank you. You didn't just hear this story. You witnessed it. You carried it. You helped bring my mom's voice back into the world.

This final episode lays out every piece of evidence — clearly, calmly, and completely — and asks the question a grand jury never heard:

Was there enough evidence in 1993 to charge Russell Bennett Peterson with the murder of Stacy Marie Wasilishin?

Today, you decide.

🎙️ Special Guest — Attorney Mike Hansen (Texas Dad Lawyer)

In this episode, you'll hear my conversation with Mike Hansen, a Texas attorney with experience in both prosecution and defense of domestic-violence homicide cases.

Mike reviewed my mom's official case file — not rumors, not speculation — and publicly broke down what the evidence showed.

Follow Mike here: TikTok: @texasdadlawyer Instagram: @texas_dad_lawyer

Mike — thank you for being the spark that started this entire podcast.

❤️ Good Deed Section — Potato's Journey Home

This season's closing spotlight belongs to Potato — a stray dog from Puerto Rico who survived pack attacks, heartworm, and living off scraps beside a trash can where he begged for food.

Amanda from True Creeps True Crime didn't scroll past. She saved him.

Before he left the island, Amanda nailed a note to the trash-can post:

"Thank you for the food, the love, and the belly rubs. I will miss you but it was time to move on. Asta Potato."

If you'd like to help:

Follow: https://www.instagram.com/potatos.journey Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/23U6FVRNJB6DX Donate (Venmo): @AmandaMednansky Rescue: Hacienda de Sato Amor / https://silkysato.com True Creeps Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-creeps-true-crime-ghost-stories-cryptids-horrors/id1533487681 True Creeps IG: https://www.instagram.com/truecreepspod

Saving one life still matters. This is what compassion looks like.

🟣 Season 2 Announcement

Season One ends here — but the mission continues.

I will be joined by Melissa Field, and together we'll cover two domestic-violence-related cases each month. Research. Records. Respect. Reckoning.

We'll remain rooted in truth and shaped by advocacy.

And yes — the door is open for Episode 13 if justice comes.

🟩 Support the Show & Help Us Keep Going

To continue telling stories that deserve to be heard:

I NEED HELP!!

We still need three more items of equipment before we can start recording Season 2. Both the wishlist and Gofund link are below, thank you

Amazon Equipment Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/49E74TM4J5D8 GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/this-is-my-birthday-wish-help-me-bring-my-mothers-story-to

Business / Press / Sponsorship / Legal Inquiry: 📧 [email protected]

📬 Share Your Story

If you knew her — I want to talk to you. Your memories are everything to me.

📧 Email: [email protected]

💜 Final Words

This podcast was built in a closet — by hand — with my father, in drywall dust and grief and stubborn love. It was written in car rides, recess breaks, panic attacks, late-night edits, tears, and hope.

If you're reading this, if you're listening to this, if you've made it to the end — you helped bring my mother back into the world.

Her life mattered. Her story matters. Her name will not be erased.

He may have taken her life. But he will not take her story.

Thank you – for listening. For witnessing. For staying.

Season One is complete. This is not the end.

This is the beginning of something louder.

— Nikki Daughter of a murdered woman. Keeper of the flame. Voice she never should have had to leave behind.

📬 Call for Accountability — Respectful, On-Record, Public

If you believe this case deserves review, you can respectfully request status clarification from the agencies involved:

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: "Is the homicide of Stacy Wasilishin currently classified as an open investigation?"

Red Rock News 📧 [email protected] (The narrative matters. Accuracy matters. Words shape cases.)

💜 Domestic Violence Is An Epidemic

• 1 in 3 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.

• More than 10 million people in the U.S. are abused every year.

• The most dangerous moment is when a victim tries to leave. The risk of homicide increases by 75%.

If this episode brought something up for you:

National Domestic Violence Hotline 📞 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) 📱 Text START to 88788 💻 Chat: www.thehotline.org

You are not alone. You deserve to be safe.