Detailed Summary of "Letter from her daughter: Nikki Lee" Episode of Papi Killed Mommy

Papi Killed Mommy is a gripping true crime podcast hosted by Nikki Lee, chronicling the unresolved murder of her mother, which took place when Nikki was just ten years old. In the episode titled "Letter from her daughter: Nikki Lee," released on June 24, 2025, Nikki offers a deeply personal and heartfelt letter to her late mother, revealing her ongoing quest for justice and healing. This bonus episode serves as both a memoir and a testament to her resilience in the face of tragedy.

1. Introduction: Setting the Stage

The episode begins with Nikki Lee welcoming listeners back to Papi Killed Mommy. She introduces herself as the daughter of a woman who was tragically murdered and explains the purpose of this bonus episode:

Nikki Lee [00:04]: "Welcome back to Papi Killed Mommy. Hi, my name is Nikki and I'm the daughter of a murdered woman. In today's bonus episode, I want to share a letter I recently wrote to my mom."

Nikki emphasizes the therapeutic nature of writing letters to her mother, highlighting how this practice has helped her process trauma and emotions over the years.

2. The Letter: Reliving the Tragedy

Nikki delves into the heart of the episode by reading a heartfelt letter addressed to her mother. She recounts the night of her mother's murder with vivid detail:

Nikki Lee [00:20]: "Dear Mommy, I said good night to you for the last time on a Thursday night. It was July 8, 1993."

She describes the tense moments leading up to her mother's untimely death, including the long phone call her mother had with her father, Craig Daly, and the subsequent arrival of Russell Peterson, her mother's boyfriend, who tragically took her life.

Nikki Lee [00:35]: "Russell had been your boyfriend for the last six years and in the early morning hours of July 9, 1993, Russell Peterson shot you and took your life."

Nikki poignantly shares the immediate aftermath of the murder, including the impact on her and her sister, both as children left to navigate a world suddenly devoid of their mother.

3. The Quest for Justice: Years of Advocacy

Transitioning from personal grief to activism, Nikki outlines her relentless pursuit of justice for her mother over the past three decades:

Nikki Lee [02:15]: "Russell Peterson is never charged with your death. And for 28 years your case sat dormant while I grew from a scared child into a stubborn woman."

She details the pivotal moments that reignited her determination, starting with the new investigation in 2020, her subsequent social media campaign, and the viral success of her videos which drew global attention to her mother's case.

Nikki Lee [03:10]: "In December 2023, I brought your story to life on TikTok. Two weeks later, my 'I am the daughter of a murdered woman' video went viral, which now has over 13.2 million views worldwide."

Nikki highlights the tangible impact of her efforts, including media features, interviews with law enforcement, and the growing support from the public, evidenced by her petition garnering over 12,000 signatures.

4. Building the Podcast: Overcoming Challenges

Nikki shares the formidable challenge of creating the Papi Killed Mommy podcast, detailing the technical and emotional hurdles she faced:

Nikki Lee [00:04]: "Bringing this podcast to life has pushed me far outside my comfort zone. I built a recording studio, I learned to use the equipment and even took lessons from local podcasters because I was so unfamiliar with this technology."

She describes the meticulous process of writing, recording, and editing the podcast, underscoring her commitment to ensuring her mother's story is told with the respect and depth it deserves.

Nikki Lee [05:30]: "I pushed through every fear of cable, software and self-doubt so that you could hear the story the way it deserves to be heard."

5. Emotional Reflection: Healing and Legacy

Throughout the letter, Nikki reflects on her personal healing journey and the legacy she seeks to honor. She recounts visiting her mother's final resting place, an act that reignited her resolve to continue fighting for justice:

Nikki Lee [04:50]: "In November 2023, I visited your final resting place at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. I haven't felt this close to you in decades. That visit stirred something inside me, a renewed fire to keep fighting for you."

Nikki emphasizes the therapeutic nature of her writing and sharing her story, transforming her private healing process into a public advocacy movement.

Nikki Lee [06:45]: "Years has become the most therapeutic, peaceful and unexpectedly healing thing I've ever done. Each update I share with her steadies me and every time you press play, you're helping turn that private healing into something bigger. A public fight for truth."

6. Conclusion: A Call to Action

As the episode draws to a close, Nikki makes a compelling plea to listeners to support her mission:

Nikki Lee [07:50]: "Please come back on July 8th at 11pm for the official launch of Papi Killed Mommy. The first episode told by me, her totally not tech savvy daughter who had to chat GPT."

She underscores the importance of collective effort in seeking justice, encouraging listeners to keep her mother's memory alive and to believe in the power of a single determined voice.

Nikki Lee [08:30]: "Justice can start with a single voice, sometimes shaky, sometimes stubborn, but always determined. I'll meet you back here on July 8th. With love, Nikki."

Key Takeaways and Insights

• Personal Resilience: Nikki's journey underscores the profound strength required to confront and overcome personal tragedy, transforming grief into activism.

• The Power of Social Media: The episode highlights how modern platforms can amplify unheard stories, drawing widespread attention and support for long-dormant cases.

• Community Support: The significant following and engagement Nikki has garnered demonstrate the importance of community in advocating for justice and remembering victims.

• Healing Through Expression: Nikki's method of writing letters to her mother illustrates the therapeutic benefits of expressive writing in processing trauma.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Introduction to the Letter:

  Nikki Lee [00:04]: "Welcome back to Papi Killed Mommy. Hi, my name is Nikki and I'm the daughter of a murdered woman."

• Describing the Murder Night:

  Nikki Lee [00:35]: "Russell Peterson shot you and took your life."

• Realizing Injustice:

  Nikki Lee [02:15]: "Russell Peterson is never charged with your death. And for 28 years your case sat dormant while I grew from a scared child into a stubborn woman."

• Social Media Impact:

  Nikki Lee [03:10]: "My 'I am the daughter of a murdered woman' video went viral, which now has over 13.2 million views worldwide."

• Building the Podcast:

  Nikki Lee [05:30]: "I pushed through every fear of cable, software and self-doubt so that you could hear the story the way it deserves to be heard."

• Healing Through Letters:

  Nikki Lee [06:45]: "Each update I share with her steadies me and every time you press play, you're helping turn that private healing into something bigger."

• Call to Action:

  Nikki Lee [08:30]: "Justice can start with a single voice, sometimes shaky, sometimes stubborn, but always determined."

Conclusion

"Letter from her daughter: Nikki Lee" is a poignant and powerful episode that not only recounts a tragic personal history but also showcases the indomitable spirit required to seek justice. Nikki Lee's unwavering determination serves as an inspiring example of how one person's voice can illuminate long-buried truths and galvanize a movement for change. This episode is a testament to the enduring love between a mother and daughter and the relentless pursuit of justice that honors her legacy.