Podcast Summary: Papi Killed Mommy
Episode 16: A&E Delivered
Host: Nikki
Release Date: April 12, 2026
Episode Overview
In this highly personal episode, Nikki shares an emotional update on her fight for justice in her mother Stephanie Wassolichen’s case, including the milestone of her story being featured in a major A&E article. She reflects on the ongoing struggle for accountability, her efforts to bring more media attention to the case, and how media pressure can catalyze movement in cold cases like her mother's. Nikki details her preparations for CrimeCon, highlights the importance of community support, and delivers a direct, powerful message to the man she believes was responsible for her mother’s death.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Nikki’s Current State and Renewed Motivation
[00:56 – 06:55]
- Nikki opens with candor about her recent struggles and feeling stuck after being told there is no legal path forward unless the suspect confesses.
- She shares feeling overwhelmed:
- “Back to square one 32 years later. Back at the beginning, I had a couple really, really hard days.”
- She copes by binge-eating and binge-watching true crime, leading to the realization her mom’s story still lacks wider media coverage.
- Nikki recognizes she hasn’t pushed “big enough” (beyond podcasts and written articles), underscoring that TV exposure is crucial for public pressure and movement in the case.
Quote:
“Justice isn’t built for people like us. Justice isn’t built for families who don’t have money. And justice isn’t built for people who can’t hire attorneys or private investigators or push things through civil court.”
— Nikki [02:24]
2. Preparing for CrimeCon and Media Strategy
[07:07 – 14:06]
- Nikki discusses gearing up for CrimeCon, describing her friend Stacy’s support in making custom merchandise.
- “If you come by my booth at CrimeCon, you’re not just getting something I ordered in bulk. You’re getting something... made with care and the support of somebody who didn’t even know me before all this.” [09:55]
- Reminisces about last year’s event and notes her determination to engage with everyone who passes her booth this year.
- She names Tenderfoot TV as an ambitious media contact and recounts her post-CrimeCon attempt to get their attention through a contact within the company.
3. Emotional and Financial Realities
[14:10 – 22:53]
- Nikki openly shares her financial realities, her dislike for asking for help, and the burden of covering veterinary bills for her animal “babies.”
- “The only thing that I will beg for is I do have an Amazon wish list in the show notes... Just to help [the dogs] through the summer.”
- She humorously and lovingly describes living with elderly pets and the challenges of Arizona’s extreme heat, complicated by her father’s reluctance to run the AC for the animals.
- Despite the difficulties, Nikki thanks all who have previously supported her (especially in making CrimeCon trips possible).
4. The A&E Article – A Major Step Forward
[22:53 – 35:40]
- Nikki excitedly reveals the publication of the A&E Crime and Investigation feature on her mother’s case:
- “‘Who Killed Stephanie Wassolichen?’...it just feels like a full circle moment. So are you ready? Was that enough buildup?” [24:56]
- She reads the article aloud, which summarizes her mom’s life, the events of July 9, 1993, the contradictory accounts by Russell Peterson (the suspect), and the lack of legal movement due to insufficient evidence.
- The article reports how Nikki has reignited the case through her podcast and social media, and notes the authorities’ reluctance to comment.
Quote:
“She would never grab a gun with her two children in the home.”
— Nikki, as cited in the A&E article [25:37]
- Nikki analyzes what the article did right: it centered her lived experience, portrayed her mother as a real person, and didn’t gloss over the police mishandling or inconsistencies.
- She stresses the limits of an article versus the deeper story the podcast tells, but sees this as a pivotal leap forward:
- “Media pressure works. I have been saying this for years... And this article is the direct result of pushing, of speaking up, and of refusing to let this go quiet.” [34:06]
5. Confrontation and Personal Agency
[35:40 – 40:17]
- Nikki describes receiving Russell Peterson’s phone number from the A&E author and debating whether to reach out for the confession authorities say is needed.
- She had a friend send a message offering Peterson a chance to give his perspective via an on-camera interview. He read the message but never replied.
- This leads Nikki to a moment of resolve:
- “No one is coming. To do this for me, I’d have to do it for myself.” [36:27]
- She delivers a direct, impassioned public message to Peterson, vowing never to stop seeking the truth:
- “I am not going anywhere. I am not getting tired, I am not losing momentum, and I’m not going to stop saying your name, Russell Bennett Peterson.” [37:28]
- Nikki concludes by urging listeners to read and share the A&E article, stressing that visibility is the key to building the pressure needed for meaningful investigation or a documentary series.
Quote:
“Because here’s the reality, sir. I am not going anywhere... I’m fucking loud enough to make sure that this doesn’t stay buried anymore.”
— Nikki to Russell Peterson [37:36]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Have I really pushed big enough?...It gets tiring to be pushing as much as I have.” [04:22]
- “If you stop by my booth...I will tell you my mom’s story.” [09:11]
- “I avoided my mom’s case for 28 years. I didn’t read her case file till I was almost 40.” [11:19]
- “My dogs...are my babies. They are my first dogs and cats. And I will do anything to keep them happy and healthy for as long as possible.” [19:55]
- “So I do what I can to remind people who she is.” (on honoring her mother’s memory) [33:10]
- “This is about making sure my mom’s story is seen and heard and impossible to ignore.” [39:35]
- “Because this is how this works. That’s how we get from an article to a documentary to a series to real pressure.” [39:59]
Important Segment Timestamps
- Struggles with justice and motivation: [00:56 – 06:55]
- CrimeCon preparations and outreach: [07:07 – 14:06]
- Financial burden/pet care: [14:10 – 22:53]
- A&E article announcement and reading: [22:53 – 35:40]
- Reaching out to the suspect, confronting the future: [35:40 – 40:17]
Closing & Call to Action
Nikki powerfully closes by calling listeners to action:
- Read and share the A&E article (“Who Killed Stephanie Wassolichen?”)
- Support the podcast’s visibility to increase pressure for justice.
- “We are finally getting attention, A&E just put this case on a national platform, and that only matters if people show up for it.” [39:13]
- As CrimeCon approaches, Nikki is more determined and focused than ever to make her mother’s story impossible to ignore.
This episode offers raw emotion, hard-won insight, and a rallying cry for exposure and justice—a must-listen for listeners invested in true crime, advocacy, and the power of dogged persistence.