Papi Killed Mommy – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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 ycao@yavapaiaz.gov
— demand they pursue justice.

📞 Call the Sedona Police Department at (928) 282-3100
📧 Email sfoley@sedonaaz.gov
— insist they reactivate my mom’s case.

📞 Contact the Sedona Red Rock News at (928) 282-7795
📧 Email editor@redrocknews.com
— 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.

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In this episode of Papi Killed Mommy, for the first time, I read three articles about my mom’s death: the original piece from 1993, and two follow-ups nearly three decades later in July 2020 by the Sedona Red Rock News. These articles shaped how the public saw my mom’s case.

The 1993 article framed my mom’s murder as a “domestic fight,” erasing her identity and repeating Russell Peterson’s account uncritically through police statements. There was no context about domestic violence, no family voice, and no scrutiny of why no arrest was made despite the homicide ruling. That first story planted doubt and distorted the truth.

In July 2020, after my aunt Wendy reignited the case, the Red Rock News finally returned to the story — but once again, my family was excluded. The July 15 article leaned almost entirely on law enforcement, recycled Peterson’s story, and framed my mom’s death as “maybe homicide, maybe suicide,” despite the medical examiner ruling it homicide. Missing was accountability for decades of inaction or any context about intimate partner violence.

The July 27 article was the most damaging. It quoted Sgt. Michael Dominguez dismissing my family as “over-focused,” printed speculative suicide theories, emphasized my mom’s blood alcohol level without balance, and recycled Peterson’s contradictions. Most harmful of all, Dominguez’s reckless comments — published without challenge — led to his removal from the case. The Red Rock News didn’t just fail us; their reporting obstructed progress and retraumatized my family.

I’ll never forget my reaction to reading these articles. I fell to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably, stunned that the word “suicide” was still being repeated decades later. Suicide was never on the table — except from the suspect’s mouth. Yet here it was, still being printed as though it carried weight.

This episode also includes my first direct communication from Sedona PD in November 2020: an email from Sgt. Laura Leon. I read it word-for-word, then break down why it was so damaging — dismissive of me, minimizing my trauma, treating my mom’s case like closed paperwork, and telling me “everyone finds closure differently” instead of fighting for justice. That email crushed me, but it also lit the fire that pushed me to act.

Episode 8 is a raw look at how journalism and law enforcement failed my mom — not just in 1993, but again in 2020. It’s about erasure, bias, and the harm caused when the people we’re supposed to trust don’t do their jobs. But it’s also about my determination to reclaim my mom’s story and demand accountability.

📣 CALL TO ACTION

Your voice matters. Please take a few minutes to demand justice for my mom:

Sedona Police Department
📞 (928) 282-3100
📧 sfoley@sedonaaz.gov

➡️ Ask them to officially reactivate Stacy’s case.

Yavapai County Attorney’s Office
📞 (928) 771-3344
📧 ycao@yavapaiaz.gov

➡️ Urge them to re-examine the evidence and pursue accountability.

Sedona Red Rock News
📞 (928) 282-7795
📧 editor@redrocknews.com

➡️ Demand they finally report this case from the family’s perspective.

💜 Support the Podcast & Dickie Birdie

This podcast is 100% independent and ad-free. If you’d like to help me keep fighting for justice:

• 🛒Fundraiser by Nicole Wasilishin : Birthday Wish: Help me bring my moms case to crime con
• 🐶Dickie Birdie's wishlist Amazon.com

Every call, email, share, and d

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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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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 tips@daughterofamurderedwoman.com.
• 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

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 tips@daughterofamurderedwoman.com.

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.

Support the show

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.

Support the show

 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

 📍 Hi, I’m Nikki — the daughter of a murdered woman. Welcome back.
This week, I take you back to 1993, when my mom’s case stalled—but my Aunt Wendy never stopped fighting. Together with Grandma Bea, they held on to hope, and now I carry their legacy as the third generation of Wasilishin women demanding justice for my mother Stacy Wasilishin. This cycle must stop—

You’ll hear the story of my sister’s unsettling shift from “Papi killed Mommy” to “Mommy killed herself,” how a 1999 letter from Yavapai County Attorney Jim Landis laid out a path for renewed investigation that was never followed, and how the most poignant moment came when my sister reappeared in my life—only to vanish again.

Today marks 1,858 days since she's called. And today is her 36th birthday—four years older than Mom ever lived to be.
Kay, happy birthday. Please call me. We have so much to catch up on. Mom needs your help. I need your help. I’m sorry—sorry for everything. Please call.

💌 A huge thank you to Joanne and Mikayla — your support means everything in this ad-free journey.⬇️⬇️ Want to support the show directly? ⬇️⬇️
Hit the “Support the Show” button at the bottom of this episode’s page. Every dollar helps keep Papi Killed Mommy ad-free and gets Mom’s story in front of more people.

🛒 Support the Podcast — funds are still needed for CrimeCon travel and merch: GoFundMe

🐶 Limited editions on Dickie Birdie's Amazon Wishlist — My emotional support pup is CrimeCon-bound, too: Amazon Wishlist

CALL TO ACTION — Together, we can demand justice

Sedona Police Department
📞 (928) 282-3100
📧 sfoley@sedonaaz.gov
Ask them to officially reactivate Mom’s case.

Yavapai County Attorney’s Office
📞 (928) 771-3344
📧 ycao@yavapaiaz.gov
Urge them to re-examine the evidence.

Sedona Red Rock News
📞 (928) 282-7795
📧 editor@redrocknews.com
Ask them to share this story from the family’s perspective.

When we ALL speak up, they can’t ignore us.

Next Week on Episode 8

In July 2020, I discovered that Mom’s case had quietly been reopened—and that a local paper had blindsided my family with two articles. A detective floated “suicide” as a cause of death, and an investigator’s email lit a fire under me to finally request the full case file… The file sat unopened for eight months. When I did open it, my life—and this case—changed forever.

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📍 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: sfoley@sedonaaz.gov (Chief Stephanie Foley)
Ask them to reopen Stephanie Marie Wasilishin’s cold case.

Yavapai County Attorney’s Office
• Phone: 928‑771‑3344
• Email: victim.services@yavapaiaz.gov
Request reinvestigation and witness reconsideration.

Sedona Red Rock News
• Phone: 928‑282‑7795
• Email: editor@larsonnewspapers.com
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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