Court records reveal new details about suspect in killing of Cal Fire captain
The suspect sought in the killing of a Cal Fire captain fled to Mexico and had previously served time in prison in connection with another fatal stabbing, newly released court records say.
Investigators believe Yolanda Marodi, 53, stabbed her wife of two years, Rebecca Marodi, 49, a captain with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, at their home in San Diego on Feb. 17.
A Ring doorbell camera on the patio captured some of the horrific incident, including Rebecca Marodi running and screaming "I don't want to die," an arrest affidavit filed in San Diego County Superior Court said.
Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olejniczak, responded, "You should have thought about that before," the affidavit says. Yolanda Marodi appears in the video with blood on her arms and wielding a knife.
Later, she could be seen packing luggage into a silver SUV and driving away. The vehicle was then seen crossing into Mexico, according to court records.
Rebecca Marodi's mother called police and told them her daughter had been stabbed. Despite life-saving efforts by deputies and Cal Fire paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the sheriff's office.
After the killing, Yolanda Marodi texted an acquaintance, saying she had "hurt" Rebecca, court records show.
"Becky came home and told me she was leaving, she met someone else, all the messages were lies," the messages said, according to the affidavit. "We had a big fight and I hurt her…I’m sorry."
Yolanda Marodi in 2003 pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of her then-husband Joseph Olejniczak, according to court records in San Bernardino County. She served time in prison from 2004 to 2013.
The sheriff's office said Yolando Marodi's whereabouts are unknown but that they've notified authorities on both sides of the border.
Rebecca Marodi was a 32-year fire service veteran, starting as a volunteer in 1993 and working in San Bernardino and Riverside. In 2007 she became a fire apparatus engineer and was promoted by Cal Fire to captain in 2022.
"Her passing is a profound loss to her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside her," Cal Fire said. "We extend our deepest condolences to Captain Marodi’s loved ones and stand together in remembrance of her extraordinary life and service."
(This story has been updated to fix a typo.)
Contributing: Phaedra Trethan