The Last Day

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Papi Killed Mommy"
Episode: "The Last Day"
Host: Nikki Wasslichen
Release Date: July 12, 2025

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Introduction

In the poignant and gripping episode titled "The Last Day" from the true crime podcast <em>Papi Killed Mommy</em>, host Nikki Wasslichen delves deep into the tragic events surrounding the murder of her mother, Stephanie Marie Wasslichen (referred to as "Stacey" for storytelling purposes). This episode meticulously reconstructs the timeline of Stacy's final day on July 8, 1993, shedding light on the complexities and unanswered questions that have persisted for 28 years.

Background

Nikki begins by revisiting the heart-wrenching foundation of the podcast. She introduces her mother, Stacy, who was tragically murdered during a domestic violence altercation when Nikki was just ten years old. The official ruling was homicide, with evidence suggesting Stacy was defending herself at the time she was shot. Despite confessions and witness statements implicating Stacy's boyfriend, Russell Peterson, no charges were pressed against him—a discrepancy that fueled Nikki's relentless pursuit of the truth.

Notable Quote:

"I was just 10 years old, but I never forgot what really happened." ([00:04])

Timeline of Events on July 8, 1993

Nikki meticulously breaks down the events of Stacy's last day:

1. Morning to Afternoon:

   • 11:30 AM: Stacy and Russell wake up and head to work at Pietro's, an Italian restaurant in Sedona, Arizona.
   • Workday Tensions: Multiple coworkers, including Susie Corbett ([04:30]) and Kate Ellen Gant ([06:16]), report that Stacy was visibly stressed due to Russell's work commitments and financial strains. Stacy's frustration over Russell attending cooking school and neglecting family time is highlighted.

2. Late Afternoon:

   • 5:30 - 5:45 PM: Katherine Dindler last sees Stacy at Pietro's parking lot before her shift ends. Stacy then drives home, arriving around 6 PM.

3. Evening Activities:

   • 6:00 - 7:42 PM: Stacy's activities during this period remain largely undocumented in the case files. Nikki shares a personal account from her police interview, mentioning watching TV and playing hide and seek with her sister.
   • 7:42 PM: Stacy calls her sister Wendy in El Cajon, California, a conversation that lasted 24 minutes. Wendy notes Stacy's troubled mood.

4. 8:06 PM: Stacy makes a significant 107-minute call to her ex-husband, Craig Daly (Nikki's father), marking a departure from their typically brief and utilitarian conversations.

5. 10:30 PM: After hanging up with Craig, Stacy calls Wendy again for about 35 minutes, during which her demeanor reportedly improves.

6. 11:00 PM: Nikki recounts her final interaction with Stacy that night, where subtle signs of Stacy's inebriation are evident.

Notable Quotes:

"Stacy was upset because Russell was working too much and not paying enough attention to her or the children." ([04:30])

"The call with Wendy ended at 8:06 PM, within the same minute of hanging up with Wendy, Stacey called her ex, Craig Daly, my father." ([07:17])

Russell Peterson's Version and the 911 Call

Nikki introduces audio excerpts from Russell Peterson's interrogations, providing a first-hand account of his perspective during the critical moments leading to Stacy's death.

1. Russell's Entrance Home:

   • 11:15 - 11:30 PM: Russell arrives home with the help of Susie Corbett and her boyfriend. He mentions bringing wine, which sets the stage for the ensuing confrontation.

   Quote:

   "I give Stephie a little kiss. She's sitting on the couch. I have a bottle of wine. I have a bottle of Jordan Taberna." ([06:03])

2. Confrontation and Argument:

   • After sharing wine, an argument erupts over personal and professional grievances. Russell mentions Stacy's long phone conversation with her ex, Craig, which becomes a point of contention.

   Quote:

   "She told me that she's been talking. She talked with him for about two hours." ([07:10])

3. The Struggle and Shooting:

   • Russell describes a heated exchange that escalates when Stacy pulls a gun on him. He portrays himself as reacting instinctively to protect himself, leading to the fatal gunshot.

   Quote:

   "She goes into the bedroom and she comes back down. She has the gun in her hand and she cocks it back. She goes, Russell, I'm gonna shoot you." ([08:07])

4. 911 Call Details:

   • An intriguing twist reveals that Russell made a separate call to his father, Kenneth Peterson, four minutes before dialing 911. This pre-911 call was never investigated, raising questions about its significance.

   Quote:

   "He calls someone else. The case file has a list... Russell called his father before calling 911." ([10:20])

   911 Conversation Excerpts:

   Dispatcher: "911, what's your emergency?" ([11:57])
   Russell: "Sir, there has been a very bad accident... she's been shot." ([12:22])

   The 911 dialogue unfolds with Russell describing the scene, his inability to perform CPR, and his emotional distress.

Notable Quote:

"We had a little bit of an argument and it went panic back and forth and it just kind of went off." ([15:07])

Police Arrival and Aftermath

At 1:47 AM on July 9, 1993, the Sedona Police Department officers arrive at the scene. They find Stacy deceased with significant gunshot wounds and blood evidence, along with a traumatized three-year-old daughter who persistently asserts, "Poppy killed Mommy."

Key Findings:

• Police Report: Details Stacy's position, injuries, and the presence of blood on Russell.
• Child's Testimony: The young daughter’s repeated accusation against Russell underscores the traumatic impact of the event.
• Police Interaction: The officers' attempt to manage the scene and comfort the children highlights the immediate chaos and emotional turmoil.

Notable Quotes:

"We had a fight in progress. Dispute, husband, wife dispute." ([13:00])

"She comes out and she fired at me." ([09:39])

Reflections and Ongoing Investigation

Nikki shares her emotional recounting of the aftermath:

• The young Nikki and her sister are taken to a police cruiser, witnessing their father's alleged distress and the immediate consequences of the night’s events.
• The medical examiner's determination of homicide aligns with the children's repeated statements implicating Russell.
• Despite the timeline and evidence, the lack of charges against Russell persists as a central mystery.

Notable Insights:

• Uninvestigated Call: The overlooked call to Russell's father suggests potential gaps in the investigation that merit further scrutiny.
• Children's Statements: Nikki emphasizes the consistency of her sister's allegations over the years, highlighting possible early recognition of Russell's guilt.

Conclusion

"The Last Day" serves as a foundational episode that sets the stage for Nikki Wasslichen's relentless quest for justice. By meticulously piecing together the timeline, presenting Russell Peterson's account, and highlighting critical evidence and testimonies, Nikki paints a comprehensive picture of a family shattered by tragedy and a system that failed to deliver accountability.

Final Reflections:

"Justice is still being sought. If you or anyone you know has information on my mother's case, you're encouraged to contact the Sedona Police Department at 928-282-3100." ([23:47])

Looking Forward

Nikki concludes the episode by acknowledging the ongoing nature of her investigation and the emotional toll it has taken on her and her family. She promises to continue uncovering the layers of this unresolved case in subsequent episodes, inviting listeners to join her in seeking the truth.

Closing Remarks:

"Join me next week as I continue to dig through the case file and uncover what happened next in the aftermath of my mother's death." ([21:47])

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Support and Further Engagement

Nikki encourages listeners to support the podcast through monthly contributions, which assist in sustaining the show's production and investigative efforts. She also emphasizes the importance of sharing the series to raise awareness and garner assistance in her pursuit of justice.

Support Note:

"Your support means the world to me — and it helps me keep bringing you this important story." ([Description])

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Final Disclaimer:

Nikki reiterates that all individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty, maintaining journalistic integrity and respect for the legal process throughout her storytelling.

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This episode is a compelling blend of personal narrative, investigative journalism, and emotional depth, providing listeners with a detailed understanding of the tragic events and the enduring quest for truth and justice.

Transcript

[Nikki Wasslichen]

Hi, my name is Nikki and I'm the daughter of a murdered woman welcome back to Poppy Killed Mommy. Before we get started, I need to warn you. This podcast contains discussions of domestic violence, homicide and other potentially distressing topics. The individual mentioned is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Listener discretion is advised. Last episode I introduced my mother to you and the world. Stephanie Marie Wasslichen, who liked to be called Stacy, who died during a domestic violence altercation with her boyfriend while I was sleeping. Her death was ruled a homicide by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office. And not only that, the medical examiner found evidence her hands were up in defense when she was shot. Her boyfriend, Russell Peterson, or just Russell in this story, admits on the 911 call that he might be responsible. A witness, his three year old daughter, who tells police again and again, poppy killed Mommy. Despite all these facts, no charges were ever pressed against him. After 28 years, my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to investigate my mother's death and the events leading up to it. So today I'm taking you back to July 8, 1993, my mother's last day. For storytelling purposes, I'll call her by her chosen nickname, Stacey. Breaking down the timeline from the last day of my mother's life, July 8th started at 11:30am when Stacy and Russell got up for work. They both worked at Pietro's, an Italian restaurant in Sedona, Arizona. According to the case file. Russell said, we woke up, we had some coffee, we went to work around 12 to 12:30pm Multiple reports in the case file from coworkers all stressed the fact Stacy was not having a good day that day. One was Susie Corbett, a co worker who spoke to Stacy several times. She said Stacy was upset because Russell was working too much and not paying attention to her or the children. Susie also said Stacy was stressed over money and Russell's upcoming trip, which I'll explain later in more detail. Susie had made plans to get off work and visit Stacey's house. After that, she was going to take the two kids to her home for the night, but couldn't because another employee went home early. Another coworker, Kate Ellen Gant, told investigators she was very close with Stacey and thought of her like a sister. Over the past year and a half, Stacy had confided in her about her problems. Kay said Stacy was upset because Russell seemed married to his work and wasn't paying enough attention to her. From what I can find in the case file, Katherine Dindler was the last one to see Stacy in person. She told police Stacy was upset and not having a good day. Catherine last saw Stacy on Thursday, July 8, 1993 between 5:30 and 5:45pm in the parking lot of Pietro's just before her shift. This last conversation with Katherine happened during that 15 minute window outside the restaurant. After that, Stacy got into her tan Nissan truck and drove home to the house on Coffee Pot Drive, arriving home around 6pm from 6 to 7:42pm Stacy's activities are unknown. In my police interview, I'm quoted as saying my sister and I watched TV and played hide and seek until mom got angry and sent us to our rooms because she was on the phone. I also told the police my mom and Russell seemed to argue about his working too much and that he didn't spend enough time with the family. Mom was also upset about the money Russell was spending going to cooking school. The police asked if Russell drank a lot. I answered he might. At work, when Russell drinks too much, he just bumps into things. After studying the phone bill from that night, Stacey's movements become clear. At 7:42pm Stacy called her sister Wendy in El Cajon, California. The call lasted 24 minutes. Wendy told police Stacy was not in a good mood. The case file also said Stacy hadn't had sex in seven months and had arranged for the kids to be gone so she and Russell could be alone that evening. Those plans fell through when Susie Corbett had to stay at work. The call with Wendy ended at 8:06pm within the same minute of hanging up with Wendy, Stacey called her ex, Craig Daly, my father, at 8:06pm this call lasts 107 minutes, 1 hour and 47 minutes. Stacy and Craig didn't talk every night and if they did, it was usually quick and about money or visits with me. This phone call was different. Stacy was upset and drunk. Craig's longtime girlfriend had just moved out and he was sitting alone in an empty house when Stacy called. The conversation with my dad, Craig ended around 9:53pm Wendy called Stacy back at 10:30pm around 37 minutes after Stacy got off the phone with my dad. Craig. Wendy spoke with stacey for about 35 minutes. Then, in this second phone call, Stacy's attitude was different. In the case file, Wendy reports Stacy as happy just after that second phone call with Aunt Wendy. A little after 11pm I walked up to my mom to say goodnight for the last time. The house in Sedona had an unusual floor plan. Mom arranged the front room with a floating couch so she could watch TV and look out the big picture window because the red rocks were absolutely gorgeous. This let me come up behind her and give her a backward neck hug and a kiss on the cheek. She asked if I brushed my teeth or walked the dog. I knew she'd been drinking, so I gambled and I lied. Mom didn't get up to check. That's when I turned and walked away. In my head, I was scheming about lying and getting away with it. I walked through the living room into the kitchen, into the laundry room hallway and turned left. That's where I found my three steps to go down to my bedroom, which was a converted garage at basement level. Several minutes later, I heard Russell come home from work. That's the last thing I remember of July 8, 1993. So I was able to obtain the audio files from Russell Peterson's interrogations with the Sedona Police Department in 1993. What you're going to hear next is bits and snippets of his first interrogation with Sedona Police Department just hours after my mother's death. I'm going to do my best to tell his story through his words. What I can't fit in, I'll definitely fill in myself. Russell told Belize he left work around 11pm his coworker Susie Corbett and her boyfriend gave him a ride home.

[Russell Peterson]

I got a ride home from Susie. I get home, I give Stephie a little kiss. She's sitting on the couch. I have a bottle of wine. I have a bottle of Jordan Taberna.

[Nikki Wasslichen]

He said he got home between 11:15 and 11:30pm at around 11:20, another outgoing call from our home was placed to my dad Craig in Phoenix. It lasted one minute and cost 16 seconds. When I interviewed dad, he said he didn't remember the phone ringing or taking that second call. It's been widely speculated who made that call, my mother or Russell. Just after he got home. Russell told investigators that after arriving home, he kissed Stephanie and offered a bottle of Jordan Cabernet to share. According to him, Stacy told him, you stink. Go take a shower. So he did.

[Russell Peterson]

So I go into the shower. At this time, we're talking about 11:15, 11:30, okay? I'm sitting next to her on the couch. I open the bottle of wine. She has a glass, I have glass. We drink it and there becomes a confrontation.

[Nikki Wasslichen]

After his shower, they sat on the couch and talked. My mom brought up the nearly two hour phone call she had with my dad.

[Russell Peterson]

So she tells me that she's been talking. She talked with him for about two hours. Two and a half hours, whatever it was. And had a nice conversation with him. Fine and dandy, no big deal. It becomes a little confrontational on your part. On her part. I don't know why. You know what it is? I was accepted. I was the 9th or 10th accepted to go to Cornell University, which we can go to my house right now. I can show you my plane tickets, my agenda. I'm going there for a taste of the corn on blue. I get a call back, russell, you've been accepted. I won't say it's created a confrontation, but it's been, why Benji for that job, why you? Why not me? Okay, there's still back up to it. All right? You come out of the shower. I come out of the shower. We're sitting there, step by step, we talk, okay? She's on the left hand side. I'm in the center of the house. Oh, talking, we're talking. It becomes a little heated, but nothing that a relationship hasn't happened in the past, so I didn't think anything of it. I've had this.44 Magnum that my father gave to me as a gift for over two and a half years. It sits up in the closet. It's been loaded and it's been sitting up there because it's completely loaded. It was completely loaded, okay? With a hollow point Bonacci Italian bullets in it. And she goes into the bed, she goes into the bedroom and she comes back down. She has the gun in her hand and she cocks it back. She goes, russell, I'm gonna shoot you. Then I put my hands up and say, yes, that. Why, what, what are we talking about here?

[Nikki Wasslichen]

He said, stacey went to the bedroom. When she came back out, she had a gun in her hand. She cocked it and said, russell, I'm gonna shoot you. And then she fired. I want to remind my listeners that if this version of events is in fact true, then my mother is pointing a gun towards her daughter's bedroom, my bedroom, and is firing off these shots, which is just completely unlikely. But I'll continue on with the story.

[Russell Peterson]

I get off the couch and I am following her into the hallway, into the bedroom, okay? And we're talking as she is standing right in front of the closets. I grabbed her hands and we struggled a little bit. And the next thing I know, it went off and she dropped.

[Nikki Wasslichen]

Russell said, she came out and she fired at me. I sat on the couch for a minute, then followed her into the bedroom. I'm going to interrupt here again. Why would anyone follow somebody With a loaded gun who just shot at them. But that's what he said happened in the bedroom. He said we struggled a little and the next thing I know, it went off and she dropped.

[Russell Peterson]

I looked at her and I. I didn't believe what happened. I did not believe what happened and I panicked. I looked. I saw down the hallway. I went into the bathroom. I came back out and I thought, you know. Well, you know, she's going to be up. No, she was not up. She was not up. Then that's when I called 91 1.

[Nikki Wasslichen]

He said, I panicked. I went into the bathroom, came back out and thought, she's going to be up. Well, she wasn't. That's when he called 91 1. Well, that's not entirely true. The 911 call was logged at 1:40am on July 9th. But I must confess. I have a bomb to drop on you here. There was another call before he called 91 1. At 1:36am four minutes before Russell called 91 1, he calls someone else. The case file has a list of everyone involved and their phone numbers and addresses. I have a redacted copy, but my Aunt Wendy had an unredacted copy. She found out. Russell called his father, Kenneth Peterson, in Glendale, Arizona. The call lasted one minute and cost 16 cents. Russell called his dad before calling 911. This call was never investigated by the Sedona Police Department or the Yavapai County Attorney's Office. Russell never mentioned this call to investigators. At least three minutes passed between the call with his dad and 911. What happened in those three minutes? This has been widely speculated.

[911 Dispatcher]

911, what's your emergency?

[Russell Peterson]

I need help.

[911 Dispatcher]

What can. I need help?

[Russell Peterson]

Sir, there has been a very bad accident. Hence the owner.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay. How many vehicles?

[Russell Peterson]

Oh, there's no vehicles. Me and my wife, we were in an argument and she's hurt. She's hurt very bad. I need help.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay. What's wrong with her?

[Russell Peterson]

She's been shot.

[911 Dispatcher]

She was shot?

[Russell Peterson]

Yes.

[911 Dispatcher]

Who shot her?

[Russell Peterson]

We were.

[911 Dispatcher]

Don't know who shot her?

[Russell Peterson]

I might have. She might have shot herself.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay. How old is she?

[Russell Peterson]

She's 20. She's 31 years old. 32.

[911 Dispatcher]

32, yes. And where is she at right now?

[Russell Peterson]

She's in our bedroom.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay. Is that a house or is that a company?

[Russell Peterson]

It's a house.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay. And is she conscious?

[Russell Peterson]

No.

[911 Dispatcher]

She's unconscious?

[Russell Peterson]

Yes.

[911 Dispatcher]

Is she breathing?

[Russell Peterson]

No, it doesn't look as she's breathing.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay, stay on the line. I'm going to connect the PD to You and I'm going to get the paramedics going, okay?

[Russell Peterson]

She needs help.

[911 Dispatcher]

What is your name?

[Russell Peterson]

My name is Raphael Peterson.

[911 Dispatcher]

Do you know how to do cpr?

[Russell Peterson]

No, I don't.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay, stay on the line with me just a moment. Okay, Mr. Peterson, where is she shot? For me?

[Russell Peterson]

It looks like she's been shot in the neck or the chest.

[911 Dispatcher]

In the neck or the chest?

[Russell Peterson]

Yes.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay, we had a fight in progress. Dispute, husband, wife dispute. The wife is shot in either the chest or the neck, unconscious. Okay, and who are you?

[Russell Peterson]

I'm Russell Peterson.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay, Are you involved in this?

[Russell Peterson]

Yes, I am. We had a little bit of an argument and it went panic back and forth and it just kind of went off.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay, Russell, I want you to stay on the phone with me, all right?

[Russell Peterson]

Okay.

[911 Dispatcher]

Medic 41, Ambulance 11, Channel 1. EMS assignment. 20, 32 year old female, gunshot wound to either the chest or the neck. Location will be the Spaghetti Western Incorporated.

[Russell Peterson]

No, she's inside the house.

[911 Dispatcher]

Spaghetti Western Incorporated, all unit stage until Sedona PD is on scene. Okay, how did she get shot? Rock? Medic 41, Ambulance 11, Channel 145.

[Russell Peterson]

No, we. We had a little bit of an argument and then she came and she came in and she shot one time at me with a gun and it went off.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay, Russell, don't hang up. All right, I need you to add to another line real quick. Mr. Peterson, I'm still with you. Where is she from where you are right now?

[Russell Peterson]

She's standing right in front of me.

[911 Dispatcher]

Are you the only one there?

[Russell Peterson]

I've got my daughter right here.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay, we need to. We need to verify if she. If she is conscious.

[Russell Peterson]

No.

[911 Dispatcher]

Can't she respond to you?

[Russell Peterson]

Just.

[911 Dispatcher]

Is she breathing?

[Russell Peterson]

No.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay. Okay, what I want you to do, we need to start cpr. Okay, can your daughter do cpr? How old is she?

[Russell Peterson]

She's three years old.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay, then you're gonna have to do this. You're gonna have to be listening to me on the phone and trying to do it. Okay?

[Russell Peterson]

I'm listening to you.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay. Can you get the phone near her? Okay. Alarm to responding personnel. Be advised, patient is unconscious, not breathing. We're starting CPR instruction. Okay, what I want you to do is open her airway. To do that, you need to put one hand under the neck, one hand on the forehead. Lift up with one on the hand under the neck and push down with one for it so her head is tilted way back when she's nipping.

[Russell Peterson]

Okay, One second. No, she needs help with.

[911 Dispatcher]

I know, I Know, and you're good. Okay.

[Russell Peterson]

We need help real bad.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay? They are. They are coming, but I need for you to do this for me, okay? Okay. Is her head tilted back? Oh, God. Mr. Peterson. Okay, is it tilted back?

[Russell Peterson]

I'm trying.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay, if her head is tilted back, then what I need for you to do is pinch her neck.

[Russell Peterson]

There's too much stuff around.

[911 Dispatcher]

What do you mean there's too much stuff around?

[Russell Peterson]

There's a lot of stuff.

[911 Dispatcher]

Is it coming out of the mouth? Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Russell Peterson]

It's coming out of everywhere.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay. Okay. Is it coming out of the mouth? If so, we need to clear it out.

[Russell Peterson]

Okay, let me try.

[911 Dispatcher]

Why?

[Russell Peterson]

Please, please, please, please go into the bedroom.

[911 Dispatcher]

Do you know if the door's unlocked so we can do this?

[Russell Peterson]

I am damn crying. I'm so unwind.

[911 Dispatcher]

Mr. Peterson, is the door unlocked?

[Russell Peterson]

Okay, I've got her.

[911 Dispatcher]

Your door unlocked, sir?

[Russell Peterson]

My front door?

[911 Dispatcher]

Yes.

[Russell Peterson]

I'm gonna get it unlocked. No, the people are here.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay, that'll be officers.

[Russell Peterson]

They're here. The officers are here. I need help. That's. That's my daughter. She's 4 years old. She's gonna be 4 August 11th.

[911 Dispatcher]

Mr. Peterson?

[Russell Peterson]

Yes, sir.

[911 Dispatcher]

Okay.

[Russell Peterson]

Yes, ma'.

[911 Dispatcher]

Am. They will go ahead and take over this for you. Okay?

[Russell Peterson]

Okay.

[911 Dispatcher]

All right.

[Russell Peterson]

Okay. So then you can go ahead and.

[911 Dispatcher]

Talk to the officers.

[Russell Peterson]

Okay? Okay. Thank you.

[Nikki Wasslichen]

It took seven minutes for Sedona PD to arrive. It is now 1:47 on July 9, 1993. Officer Brooks, Zanett and Sergeant Stinson arrived at roughly the same time. You can hear their arrival in the 911 call. When they got there, the screen door was unlocked and the front door was slightly open. The officers called out for anyone inside. That's when they saw Russell come out of the short hallway near the master bedroom. Russell was still holding a cordless phone in his blood covered right hand pressed to his ear, talking to the 911 dispatcher. He led officers to the master bedroom where they found a body of a white female victim. Officer brooks report says Ms. Wassolichen was laying on the floor at the north end of the bedroom near the closet. She was wearing a green night shirt and had a large caliber gunshot wound to the upper left side of her throat and a large quantity of blood near the right side of her head. This part of the report is shocking. Officer Brooks says, I also immediately noticed a very young girl on the bed saying, that's my mommy. I requested Officer Zanit remove the child from the room and watch Mr. Peterson, which he did. Sergeant Stinson and Officer Brooks tried to find a pulse on Stacy with negative results. They noted Ms. Wassalishen's pupils were fixed and dilated. A paramedic from the Sedona Fire Department arrived next at 1:55am on July 9, 1993. The paramedic declared Stacy dead on arrival. Around 2am Officer Brooks verbally notified Russell of Stacy's death. He did not tell the children. Russell explained that when he came home, Stacy had been drinking and had had an extended phone conversation with my dad, Craig, her ex.

[Russell Peterson]

So she tells me that she's been talking. She talked with him for about two hours, two and a half hours, whatever it was, and had a nice conversation with him. Fine and dandy, no big deal. It becomes a little confrontational.

[Nikki Wasslichen]

This was the first time in the case file that a phone call between my parents is mentioned. At around the same time, 2am Russell told officer Zanit, there's another girl asleep in the house. Officer Zanit went to my bedroom in the garage to wake me. He couldn't find the light switch, so he turned his flashlight on and shone it in my face, waking me and terrifying me. He told me to get up, get dressed. He said, you mom and her boyfriend got into a fight. Your mom is at a friend's house. Officer Zanit led me up the three stairs, through the hallway, into the kitchen, into the living room. There I saw Russell sitting on the couch, rocking and talking fast. Officers stood all around him. I vaguely remember a dark substance on his hands, what I can now only assume is my mother's blood. The officer tried to block my view, but I stared at Russell's back for a few seconds before being ushered outside. I was led to a police cruiser where I found my little sister already seated, holding a stuffy. The first and only thing she said to me was, poppy killed Mommy. That sentence has haunted my dreams for three decades. That morning marked the beginning of a long, painful journey, not just for me and my sister, but for everyone involved in the case. From the harrowing moments in the police cruiser to Russell's first hours in custody, the timeline reveals a mix of confusion, tragedy and unanswered questions. The evidence of a struggle, the contradictory statements, and the mishandling of interviews with children all paint a complex picture that I'm still trying to understand. As the day unfolded, the medical examiner's early determination of homicide confirmed what my sister had already been telling everyone. Sitting in that police station hallway, waiting for CPS to take us to a foster home, the weight of the reality was just beginning to settle in. In the next episode, I'll dive deeper into what happened after that day. How the investigation unfolded, the challenges we faced in seeking justice, and how my.

[Russell Peterson]

Family'S life was forever changed at 79 of 93542 hours. President is myself, Detective Walter Spokes from the Sedala Police Department. Investigator Jerry Siravo with the Yaupi County Attorney's Office and Richard Cut.

Your full name?

My name is Russell Bennett Peterson. Russell Bennett Peterson? Yes, sir. Russell, we're here to talk about the events of the night involving the death of your wife. I didn't know what to do and I didn't want to be accused of. Of murder, of anything like that. As it picked up the gun, I put it in the holster, I put it back in the closet, I brought it back down and I said no. I mean, that's stupid. I mean, it's happened. There's nothing you can do about it at this point. What was the argument? Oprah. She had already been liked brewing or stewing. Maybe it had to have to do with the fact that she spent an hour and a half or two hour conversation with Greg, her ex. Whatever the case may be, what is the fight over? What is the.

What are the words over.

As she feels that I work too much and put forth more at work than I do at my home life. Followed her into the bedroom. Okay, Bob. Why was he going to take the gun from her? Did you deceive her? No, I did not. Did she go and urge you herself?

No.

I won't say she shamed herself and I won't say I shattered her. But it happened during your struggle. During our struggle.

[Nikki Wasslichen]

As a side note, while preparing for this podcast, I did a records request on all audio and video files, including my interview and my little sister's. I want to emphasize how many times my little sister told law enforcement that Poppy killed Mommy, which, as I counted, is up to 13 times. I was unsuccessful in acquiring our audio due to the fact that we were minors. And in the future, if I want to acquire it, I will need a court order. My podcast is dedicated to telling a true story from my family's perspective. The case remains open and ongoing. Justice is still being sought. If you or anyone you know has information on my mother's case, you're encouraged to contact the Sedona Police Department at 928-282-3100. And I need to remind you that the person mentioned in this episode is innocent until proven guilty. I'm so grateful you're here with me on this journey. I honestly couldn't do this without you. This podcast is entirely independent. No ads, no sponsors. Just me telling my mother's story the only way I know how. Honestly, 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 happened next in the aftermath of my mother's death. Thank you for listening.