Papi Killed Mommy – Details, episodes & analysis

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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. You are not alone. Help is available.
📞 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

 This podcast is based on my personal memories, experiences, and opinions. The individual named in this episode is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

🔗 Follow our journey and stay connected:
TikTok: @nicolewasilishin
Instagram: @nicolewasilishin
Petition for justice: change.org/justiceforstacy

Thank you for listening. And please, stay tuned — the story begins July 8th at 11 PM.

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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.

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.

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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.

🔔 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 

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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.

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: Sign the Petition · DEMAND a complete Homicide investigation for the murder of Stephanie Marie Wasilishin - Sedona, United States · Change.org

Thank you for listening, supporting, and believing in this journey. Your time, your voice, and your compassion mean more than words can express. Together, we are giving my mother’s story the justice and remembrance it deserves.

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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

If this episode moved you, please consider sharing it, rating it, or following the show. Your support means more than you know. Join me next week as I continue to dig through the case file and uncover what came next in the aftermath of my mother’s death.

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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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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. 

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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Sunday, July 11, 1993. The day I learned my mother was dead.

In this episode, I take you into the moment that shattered my childhood. That morning, my foster family drove me and my little sister to the Sedona Police Department. Inside a room filled with silver folding chairs and scattered toys, I sat frozen — until the only familiar face in the room, my mother’s boyfriend Russell Peterson, broke the news. “Your mom is gone.” He was the one who told me. Not a police officer. Not a therapist. No family member. Him.

My sister played like nothing had happened, but my world collapsed. And just hours later, Russell signed us out of CPS custody and took us on a scenic Pink Jeep tour through Sedona — a “family outing” on the worst day of my life. That ride wasn’t about grief. It was about manipulation. He pushed me to say I wanted to live with him, using my little sister as leverage.

Later that afternoon, Russell contacted police and asked to walk them through the house where my mother died. In a calm, detached tone, he reenacted the scene — contradicting himself repeatedly. He said my mom told him she was going to shoot him… then turned the gun on herself. He picked the gun up, put it away, then changed his mind and placed it back on the ground — before calling 911.

He added new details: that his father found a bottle of Seagram’s in my mom’s bag after the shooting. Another attempt to make her look unstable — a pattern that never stopped.

You’ll hear that walkthrough. You’ll hear detectives gently challenge his contradictions. And you’ll hear the line that’s haunted me for 30 years: “Whatever mindset she was in at that given moment… it’ll never be known.”

But it could have been — if anyone had dug deeper.

This episode also includes a interview with my father, Craig. He remembers a long, emotional call with my mom the night before she died — a call she knew Russell was recording. My dad’s story has never changed. But the case file summary of his interview? Doesn’t match what he actually said.

I end this episode with one of the most vivid memories of my life — seeing my mother at her viewing. Blue dress. Blue makeup. Blue carnations. A sea of blue that made the world feel cold. I’ve hated the color ever since.

Next episode on Papi Killed Mommy
I’ll take you inside Russell Peterson’s final police interview. His last story. His final contradictions. And the moment the investigation quietly fell apart.

If you’ve made it this far — thank you. This podcast is 100% independent. No team. No studio. Just me, telling my mom’s story and fighting for justice.

To support the show and help bring her case to CrimeCon, please consider donating:
 👉 gofundme.com/f/this-is-my-birthday-wish-help-me-bring-my-mothers-story-to

Huge thanks to everyone who’s donated — your support keeps this going, ad-free and real. The support the show button is at the bottom of these notes. 

Follow me on TikTok and Instagram @nicolewasilishin for updates and more ways to spread the word.

If you have any information about the death of Stephanie Marie Wasilishin, please contact the Sedona Police Department at (928) 282-3100.

Thank you for listening. I’ll keep telling this story — until there’s no more story to tell, or no more breath in my body.

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