Papi Killed Mommy — Episode 12: Not The End

Host: Nikki Wassolishan
Date: October 27, 2025
Episode Theme: The Season Finale — Perseverance, Systemic Failures, and the Ongoing Fight for Justice

Episode Overview

In this deeply emotional and candid season finale, Nikki Wassolishan recounts her relentless pursuit for justice after the 1993 murder of her mother, Stacey Wassolishan, in Sedona, Arizona. Nikki reflects on her four-year struggle to revive a cold case stalled by systemic indifference, the transformative role of community, and support from professionals like attorney Mike Hanson. Through the story of her podcast's creation, confrontations with law enforcement and prosecutors, the power of public pressure, and a heartfelt acknowledgment of her support network, Nikki demonstrates that her journey—and her mother’s story—is far from over.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nikki’s Emotional State & Gratitude for Listeners ([01:11])

• Nikki opens by acknowledging that she may become emotional telling this story, especially reaching the finale of a 12-episode journey amounting to over seven hours of content.
• She thanks loyal listeners for their support and perseverance.

2. The Ongoing Fight for Justice ([01:11]–[06:00])

• After her mother’s death was ruled a homicide but never prosecuted, Nikki spent four years campaigning for renewed investigation—interviews, petitions, viral videos—but found hope waning by late 2024.
• Key turning point: A viral video in December 2023 gained 13.2 million views, momentarily opening new doors that later shut again.

3. Enter Mike Hanson: Legal Validation and Fresh Perspective ([06:00])

• In November 2024, Texas attorney Mike Hanson reviews Nikki’s case and validates the family's long-held concerns, echoing evidence of a system that failed Stacey.
• Hanson’s TikTok miniseries examining the case brings new momentum and professional credibility ("...he validated every one of our concerns..." [03:37]).

4. Sarah Turney’s Influence & The Birth of the Podcast ([04:52], [22:21])

• Following Hanson's intervention, Nikki acts on recurring advice from friend and true crime podcaster Sarah Turney: start a podcast to amplify the case.
• With newfound resolve and help from her father, they convert a closet into a recording studio, symbolizing both practical and emotional progress.

5. Conversation with Mike Hanson: The Legal System’s Failures Unpacked ([06:00]–[21:50])

Key Legal Insights from Mike Hanson:

• Hanson highlights flaws in the original investigation, including questionable evidence handling and suspicious community dynamics.

• He stresses the reliability and legal weight of the 911 call and points out the rare, inappropriate focus on needing a confession to prosecute ([21:53]).

• He points out that "prosecutors try tough cases all the time" and calls the lack of prosecution a “head scratcher.”

  Notable Quote:

  "We don't need confessions. If that was the standard, a bunch of murderers would be going free right now."
  — Mike Hanson ([41:49])

Highlights of the Discussion:

• Nikki reveals she has obtained and published full interrogation audio, not just transcripts ([10:15]).
• Hanson affirms Nikki’s suspicions of improper influence and overlooked evidence: "There was something at play. There was somebody poking and prodding these people to meddle." ([12:20])
• Both discuss the lack of transparency from prosecutors, and the heartbreak of being met only by bureaucratic silence ([21:50]).

6. Barriers and Breakthroughs in Launching the Podcast ([22:21]–[34:14])

• Technical and Financial Hurdles: Nikki navigates equipment failures, funding issues, and intense self-doubt. Community support—particularly a benefactor named Stacy—steps in at critical moments.
• Peer Support: Amanda from True Creeps travels an hour to help Nikki with editing/production in person ("She was the last final thing I needed to push the podcast over the finish line." [26:24]).
• The community books Nikki’s CrimeCon trip before her first episode is even recorded.
• Morbid Podcast Shoutout: A four-minute promo propels "Papi Killed Mommy" to charting on Apple Podcasts before the official launch.

7. Direct Appeals and Institutional (Non-)Responses ([34:14])

Correspondence with Authorities:

• Nikki details her persistent, formal requests to the Yavapai County Attorney's Office for case review and clarity, including a full reading of her letter ([27:12]).

• The County replies only vaguely: "Investigators and prosecutors from this office have reviewed the case file… Additional investigation has been requested. At this time, we cannot share any further information." ([32:10])

• Follow-up queries yield more broad, noncommittal responses, leaving Nikki dissatisfied and in limbo.

  Notable Quote:

  "Just bureaucracy in a polite font."
  — Nikki ([43:20])

Expert Assessment of Response:

Mike Hanson suspects the officials are using “semantics to appease you,” doubting claim of new investigation ([34:14]).

8. CrimeCon 2025: Advocacy in Action ([44:01])

• Nikki recounts her harrowing road trip to Denver, moments of exhaustion and joy, and the meaningful face-to-face connections with fellow advocates, podcasters, and listeners.

9. The Evidence and the Questions Never Answered ([50:00])

• Nikki summarizes the incontrovertible facts: her mother’s wound, gun residue, delayed 911 call, suspect's inconsistent stories, physical impossibility of suicide, and the tragic pattern of unheeded warnings.
• She dissects decades of inaction and missed opportunities, concluding:

  "That's not an absence of evidence. That's evidence ignored." ([54:08])

• Invites listeners to weigh in: was there enough evidence in 1993 to press charges? ([56:50])
• Emphasizes the power of public pressure over institutional inertia.

10. Gratitude and the Importance of Community ([58:53])

• Nikki praises her support network: benefactor Stacy, Sarah Turney (who “became the wind beneath my wings”), Amanda from True Creeps, and others.

11. Introducing “The Good Deed Section” & Amanda’s Story ([61:07])

• Nikki shares Amanda's remarkable effort rescuing a stray dog, Potato, from Puerto Rico, highlighting the ripple effect of small acts of compassion.

  Notable Quote:

  "What Amanda did for Potato, that's justice, too. Not the kind you find in a courtroom, but the kind that saves something small and beautiful before it's too late."
  — Nikki ([65:27])

12. Looking Forward: This Is Not The End ([67:24])

• Nikki is clear that the podcast and her efforts are far from over.
• Season 2 will launch in 2026, expanding the mission to amplify other families' stories of injustice.
• She issues a call for support, collaboration, and sponsorship pledging to continue exposing and challenging the silence around domestic violence.

13. Final Reflections and Dedication ([69:40])

• Closing the episode with a dedication to Stacey and all domestic violence victims, Nikki reiterates the mission: “This isn’t just entertainment. This is advocacy. This is awareness, and this is survival.”

  Memorable Closing Quote:

  "We see you, we remember you, and we’ll keep fighting for you. This isn’t the end of Papi Killed Mommy. This is just the beginning of something bigger."
  — Nikki ([71:00])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• "Every flaw Mike [Hanson] found...matched what my family had been saying for decades. He validated every one of our concerns."
  — Nikki ([03:37])

• "There was something at play. There was somebody poking and prodding these people to meddle. And there were power dynamics, perhaps, behind all of this."
  — Mike Hanson ([12:20])

• "That's not an absence of evidence. That's evidence ignored. Every time this case went cold, it wasn't because the trail disappeared. It was because somebody stopped looking."
  — Nikki ([54:08])

• "Prosecutors try tough cases all the time... Trying tough murder cases, including those that people have set up to make it appear as if it was suicide, is nothing new for a district attorney's office."
  — Mike Hanson ([15:36])

• "Just bureaucracy in a polite font."
  — Nikki ([43:20])

• "What Amanda did for Potato, that's justice, too. Not the kind you find in a courtroom, but the kind that saves something small and beautiful before it’s too late."
  — Nikki ([65:27])

• "This isn’t just entertainment. This is advocacy. This is awareness, and this is survival."
  — Nikki ([69:49])

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:11] — Nikki’s emotional intro & summary of the struggle
• [06:00] — Conversation with Attorney Mike Hanson begins
• [10:15] — “Bombshell” revelation: Nikki has the full police interviews on audio
• [21:50] — End of conversation with Mike Hanson; transition to podcast journey
• [22:21] — Reflections on preparing and launching the podcast
• [27:12] — Letters to Yavapai County Attorney & government non-responses
• [34:14] — Hanson’s analysis of official responses
• [44:01] — Story of CrimeCon experience
• [50:00] — Summary of evidence and case contradictions
• [54:08] — "Evidence ignored" monologue
• [58:53] — Gratitude section for supporters and community
• [61:07] — Amanda and Potato’s story; launch of Good Deed Section
• [67:24] — Not the end: pledge to continue, preview of season two
• [69:40] — Final advocacy message and dedication

Conclusion

This season finale encapsulates the heartbreak, resilience, and community that sustain Nikki’s fight against decades of silence. By presenting every contradiction, every failed response, Nikki asks listeners to join her—demanding accountability not just for her mother, but for all victims of domestic violence abandoned by the system. The episode closes not with finality, but with new purpose: Season Two will seek to amplify more unheard voices, and Nikki’s call for support—legal, financial, and emotional—remains ongoing.

Contact / Support

• Email: poppykilledmommymail.com
• Follow: Nikki’s work and advocacy on her social channels
• Support: Via GoFundMe, podcast sponsorships, and direct outreach (links in show notes)

Next Season:
Papi Killed Mommy returns in 2026 with expanded stories and new co-host Melissa Field. Stay tuned—and if you have a story, Nikki wants to hear from you.