Episode 36: The Death of Stephanie Wasilishin (“Unsolved”)

On July 9, 1993, Stephanie (Stacy) Wasilishin’s death was ruled a homicide. Yet, more than thirty years later, the case remains officially “unsolved.” On the night she was killed in her Sedona, Arizona home, her three-year-old daughter was awake and present, and told investigators repeatedly what she saw. Her older daughter, Nikki, slept down the hall, unaware that her life was about to change forever. The only person left to tell what happened was the suspect, Stephanie's boyfriend Russell.In this episode, we walk through the timeline of that night, the forensic findings, and the witness accounts that followed. Come with me as we join Nikki’s fight for truth, justice, and accountability in the death of her mother. If you would like to help in the fight for justice to bring Stephanie Wasilishin’s case to court, please call the Sedona Police Department at (928) 282-3100 and voice your concerns. FacebookYou can also add pressure and show support by signing the family’s petition, Demand a Complete Homicide Investigation for the Murder of Stephanie Marie Wasilishin, at https://www.change.org/p/demand-a-complete-homicide-investigation-for-the-murder-of-stephanie-marie-wasilishin — a grassroots effort started by her daughter, Nikki, to push for renewed review and accountability.If you have any media sources you would like to send our way to help get the word out please send them to [email protected] or contact Nikki. Her TikTok handle is @nicolewasilishin Nikki is the host of Papi Killed Mommy — a true crime podcast about her mother’s case and her decades-long fight for truth and justice. To learn more about Stephanie’s story and how you can get involved, listen to Papi Killed Mommy wherever you get your podcasts — including Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papi-killed-mommy/id1820673703Lastly, this case deals closely with domestic violence. If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please reach out. Help is available.📞 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 🌐 Website / Chat: thehotline.org — 24/7 confidential support 📱 Text: START to 88788 for support via text messagingThese services are free, confidential, and available to anyone in the United States who needs help, guidance, safety planning, or resources.Got a story to tell? Send it in for the next episode of Boo's Clues!And help spread the word! Share the podcast with your true crime coven of friends and family or your paranormal pals.Website: https://www.suspectsandspirits.com/Follow the podcast on IG, Facebook, and TikTokIG: suspectsandspiritspodcastFaceboook: Suspects & Spirits PodcastTikTok: suspectsandspiritspodSources:Maricopa County Medical Examiner. Autopsy Report: Stephanie Marie Wasilishin. July 1993. Provided via private correspondence.Gray, Nikki. Papi Killed Mommy. Apple Podcasts, podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papi-killed-mommy/id1820673703.Morbid: A True Crime Podcast. “The Unsolved Death of Stephanie Wasilishin.” Morbid: A True Crime Podcast, Episode 710, 18 Sept. 2025,https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unsolved-death-stephanie-wasilishin/id1379959217?i=1000727279574Unsolved in Sedona: Decades Later, Family Members Frustrated at Lack of Progress in Cold Case.” Fox 10 Phoenix, 9 July 2020,www.fox10phoenix.com/news/unsolved-in-sedona-decades-later-family-members-frustrated-at-lack-of-progress-in-cold-caseSedona Police Department Adds More Pieces to Puzzle of 1993 Death.” Red Rock News, 27 July 2020, www.redrocknews.com/2020/07/27/sedona-police-department-adds-more-pieces-to-puzzle-of-1993-deathhttp://www.yavapaiaz.gov/cahttp://www.sedonaaz.gov/your-government/departments/policeThe Murder of Stephanie Wasilishin blog post summary https://www.fthatpod.com/episodes/murderofstephaniewasilishin