Papi Killed Mommy

BONUS EPISODE ~ Unraveling (November 3, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this raw and emotionally charged bonus episode, Nikki, host and creator of Papi Killed Mommy, opens up about the personal unraveling she’s experienced since concluding Season One of the podcast. Centering on the unresolved murder of her mother in 1993 and the systemic failures that have followed, Nikki reflects on the impact of telling her story, the challenges of pushing for justice, her ongoing grief and trauma, and her determination to keep fighting for her mother's legacy—both through the podcast and an upcoming documentary project. The episode serves as both a therapeutic outpouring and a call to action, urging listeners to remain engaged and help amplify the movement for justice.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Emotional Impact of Ending Season One

• Nikki’s personal crash after Season One: Describes how publishing the finale wasn’t a relief, but another form of grief and panic.
  • “It has not been relief. It has not been release. It has felt like grief. It has felt like panic, like sickness, like no air in my chest.” [01:24]
• The pain of silence after completion: Nikki feels lost without the structure of the podcast, equating the pause to losing her mother all over again.
  • “I don’t think people understand this part. Everyone hears ‘season finale’ and they hear accomplishment… I hear silence. And in that silence, I feel like I’m losing her.” [13:47]

Recounting the Podcast’s Journey

• Recap of Season One: Nikki walks listeners through the events covered, from the night of the murder to the aftermath and the failures of law enforcement and the judicial system.

  • “Season one walked every one of you into that living room, into that air, into that moment. And you sat there with me.” [03:00]
  • Details the 911 call, the conflicting police and witness statements, and evidence contradicting the official narrative.

• Importance of listeners and community: Expresses gratitude for listeners who offered validation and echoed her calls for accountability.

  • “For 32 years, it has felt like I was screaming into the desert. And season one was the first time the echo came back.” [07:36]

The Unfinished Battle for Justice

• Frustration with authorities: Despite evidence and a supportive community, Nikki is exasperated by the inaction from law enforcement and county prosecutors.
  • “When you have a letter in 1999 from a county attorney saying something is wrong, and it’s 2025 now and we’re still having this conversation, you have to ask why?” [09:46]
• Burden of advocacy: Nikki underlines the emotional toll of being forced to become her mother’s defender when the system abandoned her.
  • “Why am I the daughter doing the job that a system full of adults and titles and badges chose not to do?” [10:24]

The Power and Limits of Storytelling

• Podcast as coping, not content: Nikki discusses how creating the show was a way to spend time with her mother, validate her trauma, and keep Stacy’s memory alive.
  • “Every script I wrote felt like getting to sit in a room with my mom for an hour. Every edit felt like I was touching her face just for a second.” [12:18]
• Trauma and catharsis: Details the anxiety and panic she’s faced since ending season one, admitting she feels adrift without the podcast’s ongoing structure.

The Ongoing Search for Her Sister and Other Voices

• Appeal for connection: Nikki pleads for her estranged sister and anyone who knew her mother to come forward.
  • “I don’t just want her as a witness. I want her as my sister. I want to know who she’s become. I want to know what she remembers. I want to know what she was told.” [17:30]
  • Direct call to listeners: “If you knew my mom, please reach out to me… This is my lifeline. Because every story about her that I can record is one more way she stays alive.” [19:42]

The Fight for a Documentary

• Details of documentary development struggle:
  • Started working with a production studio in February 2024, but nothing has materialized after 20 months.
  • “Networks want an ending. Let me say this as clearly as I can… My mother does not have an ending because the people in charge refuse to give her one.” [21:17–22:04]
• Comparison to other high-profile advocacy cases:
  • References Alyssa Turney/Sarah Turney, highlighting how stories "without endings" do get told.
• Impending rights reversion: Contract with the studio is ending in less than 100 days—after which Nikki can pursue new avenues for telling her mom’s story.

Pitching the Documentary (Live Read)

• Readout of the pitch document: Nikki shares the synopsis, vision, and impact of the Papi Killed Mommy documentary.
  • “This documentary will weave Nikki’s narration, original police record, the 911 call, and newly uncovered evidence into a haunting yet hopeful narrative. One that exposes the systematic failures that silenced her mother’s story…” [approx. 25:00]
• Emphasizes her reach, credibility, and power of community: Explains how audience numbers help make a case to industry, media, and officials.

Call to Action

• How listeners can help:
  1. Say Stacy Wassolishin’s name, keep sharing her story, and raise awareness.
  2. Contact the Yavapai County Attorney, Sedona PD, and local media to demand action and coverage.
  3. Sign and share the petition to keep pressure on the case.
  4. Amplify Nikki’s presence and message on TikTok and social media.
  5. Stream and continue spreading the podcast to boost public numbers.
  • “I don’t get to walk into these rooms with an arrest warrant in my hand. I get to walk in with you and the numbers that you bring with you.” [25:40]

Season Two and Ongoing Advocacy

• Season Two plans: Will center on other women failed by the system—expanding the story beyond her mother.
  • “Season two expands the mission. We’re telling the stories of other women killed in domestic situations and domestic relationships and homes that were supposed to be safe.” [26:07]
• Unapologetic push for justice:
  • “I am allowed to refuse to move on. I am allowed to be fucking loud, God damn it. This is not me being dramatic. This is me being a daughter. A loving daughter.” [28:03]
• Promises to persist: Nikki vows not to let silence or convenience bury her mother’s case once more.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------| | 01:24 | “It has not been relief. It has not been release. It has felt like grief. It has felt like panic, like sickness, like no air in my chest.” | Nikki | | 07:36 | “For 32 years, it has felt like I was screaming into the desert. And season one was the first time the echo came back.” | Nikki | | 10:24 | “Why am I the daughter doing the job that a system full of adults and titles and badges chose not to do?” | Nikki | | 12:18 | “Every script I wrote felt like getting to sit in a room with my mom for an hour. Every edit felt like I was touching her face just for a second.” | Nikki | | 13:47 | “I don’t think people understand this part. Everyone hears 'season finale' and they hear accomplishment... I hear silence. And in that silence, I feel like I'm losing her.” | Nikki | | 17:30 | “I don’t just want her as a witness. I want her as my sister. I want to know who she’s become. I want to know what she remembers.” | Nikki | | 19:42 | “If you knew my mom, please reach out to me… This is my lifeline. Because every story about her that I can record is one more way she stays alive.” | Nikki | | 21:40 | “My mother does not have an ending because the people in charge refuse to give her one. This is not a creative problem. This is a justice problem.” | Nikki | | 25:40 | “I don’t get to walk into these rooms with an arrest warrant in my hand. I get to walk in with you and the numbers that you bring with you.” | Nikki | | 28:03 | “I am allowed to refuse to move on. I am allowed to be fucking loud, God damn it. This is not me being dramatic. This is me being a daughter. A loving daughter.” | Nikki | | 29:10 | “Say her name, share her story, do not let this go quiet into the night. My name is Nikki. I'm the daughter of a murdered woman. And this is not over.” | Nikki |

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [01:11] – Nikki's emotional "Unraveling" begins; discusses aftermath of season end
• [03:00] – Vivid recounting of the murder night and podcast origins
• [07:36] – Expression of gratitude to the community for validating her experience
• [09:46] – Discusses systemic failings and the unresolved status of the case
• [12:18] – Describes the podcast as her coping mechanism, not just content
• [17:30] – Ongoing quest to connect with her sister and others who knew Stacy
• [21:17] – [22:04] – Challenges with documentary production due to lack of “ending”
• [25:00] – Live reading of the documentary pitch document
• [26:07] – Preview of Season Two’s expanded mission
• [28:03] – Empowers herself and listeners to continue demanding action
• [29:10] – Final call to action and reaffirmation that the fight is not over

Resources and Contact

• Contact Nikki: poppykilledmommymail.com
• TikTok: @nicolewassolishan
• Petition & more information: See podcast website and social links

Tone and Takeaways

Nikki’s tone throughout this episode is raw, vulnerable, and unfiltered—a blend of grief, anger, exhaustion, and determined advocacy. She is transparent about her mental health struggles in the aftermath of season one, puts out direct calls for help, and refuses to be silent or polite in the face of ongoing injustice.

This episode is as much a support group as it is a true crime update—a manifesto for anyone fighting to have their loved one’s story heard.

If you’re new to the podcast, this episode powerfully recaps the entire journey so far while introducing the emotional realities behind the case and the ongoing fight for justice.