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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”

In this episode, I break down the timeline of that day:

• My mother’s family starting to arrive, as ten-year-old me struggled to make sense of what no one would say aloud.
• Police gathering statements from family and coworkers that painted two very different portraits of my mother.
• And Russell Peterson, sitting down at the Poco Diablo Resort with Sedona PD—calmly offering his second version of the truth.

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.

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.

I’ll see you next week.

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