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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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Jun 14 20251 m