Papi Killed Mommy

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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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.

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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

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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

1. Subscribe & share this trailer so the algorithm can't bury it.
2. 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
3. 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.
4. Have information? Contact the Sedona Police Department at (928) 282‑3100 or email [email protected].

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.

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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.

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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