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Cal Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi (41) was found stabbed to death inside her Ramona, California home on February 17, 2025. The suspect in the homicide is her wife Yolanda, and she is currently on the run.
As some background into Rebecca, she was a well respected firefighter, who had fought the recent Eaton fire in California.
This is some info from a fundraiser that has been established: Rebecca’s journey in the fire service began in 1993 as a volunteer firefighter in Moreno Valley. She went on to serve as a seasonal firefighter in Riverside and San Bernardino counties before promoting to Fire Apparatus Engineer in 2007 and achieving the rank of Captain in 2022. She was not just a respected leader and mentor—she was a beloved member of the CAL FIRE family.
Beyond her career, Rebecca was a devoted daughter, serving as the primary caregiver for her 77-year-old mother, who lived with her in Ramona. Her sudden and heartbreaking passing has left her family facing immense grief and uncertainty.
She was believed to have been planning her retirement for later this year.
Cal Fire issued a statement about Rebecca
“Beyond her operational assignments, Captain Marodi was deeply involved in Peer Support and Hazmat, always prioritizing the well-being of her colleagues.
“Her legacy of mentorship, service and dedication will be felt for years to come. Her passing is a profound loss to her family, friends and all who had the privilege of working alongside her.”
According to media reports, Rebecca and Yolanda had been married for around two years.
You can view their social media here:
On Monday, February 17, 2025, police were called to Rebecca’s home after a call reporting assault with a deadly weapon came in. Police arrived at the home at 8.58pm.
This is part of the press release about the incident:
Upon arrival, deputies found an approximately 50-year-old Hispanic female inside the residence with multiple stab wounds. Life-saving measures were administered by the deputies until Cal Fire paramedics arrived. Despite their efforts, the female succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Media outlets reported that the murder may have been a domestic violence incident.
Detectives are investigating the off-duty death as a potential domestic violence incident, believing Rebecca knew the suspect.
“Currently, the motivation and circumstances surrounding the homicide remain unclear, and detectives are diligently gathering more information to establish the facts of the case,” Lt. Michael Krugh with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.
An autopsy found that Rebecca died by stab wounds or “sharp force entries” and her manner of death was categorized as homicide.
On February 20, police announced that Rebecca’s wife Yolanda was the main suspect in the case and that she was on the run.
In a twist in this case, Yolanda fatally stabbed her husband James Olejniczak in October 2000. She was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2004 after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter. The couple had two children, a son and a daughter, both were infants at the time of their father’s death.
Yolanda served a sentence of 13 years and eight months in prison, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The use of drugs and alcohol accounted for the additional time, the department said.
Rebecca’s ex-wife Lilia Phleger has spoken to the media about the relationship between Rebecca and Yolanda. “Yolanda was very jealous. My understanding is she was very jealous and did not want to have Becky maintain the friendships she had for years with other women.”
Friends of the couple have said they did not know about Yolanda’s past.
A friend, Vikki Conner said they all had no idea. “No, no—especially with her work in physical therapy and handling personal information from people,” she said.
Investigators have not released a motive, but public court records indicate the couple may have had financial troubles. A friend also told the media that the couple had recently separated.
It is believed that Yolanda may have fled to Mexico, according to Fox 5 San Diego.
On the evening of 02/17/2025, the victim, Rebecca Marodi 6/14/1975, was found deceased by her mother who lives on the property in an ADU. Rebecca had several injuries to her neck, chest and back consistent with a stabbing. Rebecca’s wife, Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi 12/5/1971, was seen on surveillance video earlier in the evening arguing with Rebecca and physically assaulting her. Yolanda was then seen leaving the scene prior to the victim’s mother arriving home. Deputies and emergency fire personnel arrived at the scene and performed life saving measures. Rebecca ultimately succumbed to her injuries.
Per U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Yolanda crossed into Mexico in her vehicle via the San Ysidro port of entry on 2/17/25.
On 03/22/2025, Mexican authorities notified U.S. Marshals that Yolanda Marodi had been located in Mexico and taken into custody. Yolanda was later released to U.S. Marshals and taken into custody at a U.S. Port of Entry. Yolanda is being processed and will be booked into custody for murder.
Sheriff’s Homicide investigators are working to gather more information to determine the circumstances and motivation behind this death. The investigation is ongoing.
SOURCE LIST
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wife-wanted-stabbing-death-san-diego-fire-captain-rcna193153