Suspect in Cal Fire Captain’s Murder Arrested in Mexico
SAN DIEGO — Yolanda Marodi, the primary suspect in the fatal stabbing of her wife, Rebecca Marodi, a captain with Cal Fire, has been apprehended by authorities in Mexico. The arrest occurred on Saturday at a hotel located in the Mexican state of Baja California, as confirmed by the Baja California Citizen Security Secretariat (SSCBC) through a statement released on social media platforms.
Following her arrest, Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olejniczak, was transferred to the U.S.-Mexico border with the assistance of Mexico’s National Institute of Migration. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department disclosed in a news release that Mexican authorities alerted U.S. Marshals to Yolanda Marodi’s location and subsequent capture in Mexico.
Yolanda Marodi was handed over to U.S. Marshals at a U.S. Port of Entry. She is currently undergoing processing and will be booked into custody on charges of murder. U.S. investigators believe that Yolanda Marodi, 53, stabbed her wife of two years, Rebecca Marodi, 49, at their residence in San Diego County on February 17. Authorities suspected that Yolanda Marodi fled the country immediately after the killing.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, Yolanda Marodi was observed crossing into Mexico in her vehicle through the San Ysidro Port of Entry within hours of the February 17 killing. Her whereabouts remained unknown for over a month until her recent capture.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has stated that the investigation is ongoing, and homicide investigators are actively gathering more information to ascertain the circumstances and motivation surrounding Rebecca Marodi’s death.
The tragic incident unfolded on February 17 when deputies from the San Diego Sheriff’s Office responded to a radio call concerning an assault with a deadly weapon at a residence in Ramona, a community situated in northeast San Diego County, at approximately 9 p.m. local time.
Upon arrival at the scene, deputies discovered Rebecca Marodi inside her home, suffering from multiple stab wounds. They immediately administered medical aid until Cal Fire paramedics arrived. Regrettably, despite their collective efforts, Rebecca Marodi succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Sheriff’s Office later revealed that Rebecca Marodi was discovered by her mother, who resided with the couple. Rebecca Marodi sustained several injuries to her neck, chest, and back, indicative of a stabbing.
Surveillance footage from the residence depicted Yolanda Marodi engaged in a heated argument with her wife, which escalated into a physical assault, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Subsequently, Yolanda Marodi was observed leaving the scene before Rebecca Marodi arrived at the residence.
Rebecca Marodi was a dedicated fire service veteran with 32 years of experience. Her career began as a volunteer in Moreno Valley in 1993, followed by roles as a firefighter in the San Bernardino and Riverside units. In 2007, she advanced to the position of fire apparatus engineer and was promoted to captain by Cal Fire in 2022.
Court documents obtained by USA TODAY revealed a harrowing account captured on a Ring doorbell camera. Rebecca Marodi was recorded running and screaming, desperately exclaiming, "I don’t want to die." The footage, recorded on the property’s patio, captured Yolanda Marodi’s chilling response: "You should have thought about that before," as stated in an arrest affidavit filed in San Diego County Superior Court. Yolanda Marodi was also seen in the video with bloodstains on her arms and a knife in her hand.
According to the affidavit, Yolanda Marodi was then observed packing luggage into a silver SUV and leaving the scene. Court records further indicated that Yolanda Marodi later texted an acquaintance, confessing that she had "hurt" Rebecca.
Disturbingly, court records also unveiled that Yolanda Marodi had a prior criminal history involving a domestic-related stabbing death. In 2003, she pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of her then-husband, Joseph Olejniczak, according to court records in San Bernardino County. Yolanda Marodi served a prison sentence from 2004 to 2013 for this crime.
The investigation into Rebecca Marodi’s death remains active as authorities work to uncover all the details surrounding the tragic event. The arrest of Yolanda Marodi in Mexico marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for Rebecca Marodi and her family.
The community mourns the loss of Captain Rebecca Marodi, a dedicated public servant who devoted her life to protecting the lives and property of others. Her legacy will be remembered by her colleagues, friends, and family.
