Police have moved swiftly in the investigation of Cal Fire Captain Rebecca “Becky” Marodi’s death, which they are calling a homicide. The main suspect was seen on camera on the night of the murder and has since fled across the border.
Days after the February 17, 2025, death of Cal Fire Captain Rebecca “Becky” Marodi, progress has been made. An arrest warrant has revealed the 49-year-old’s final moments after she was found fatally stabbed in her California home.
According to authorities, the captain’s wife murdered her before fleeing to Mexico. An arrest warrant filed at the San Diego County Superior Court on February 21 stated that Rebecca was discovered with multiple stab wounds in her Ramona home.
The warrant further revealed that the victim’s mother called 911 at around 9 p.m. and deputies arrived within minutes. However, Rebecca was pronounced dead at the scene about 15 minutes later.
The arrest warrant detailed how surveillance footage from the couple’s home captured parts of the attack. It noted that at 8:08 p.m., Rebecca was seen running across the patio with her wife, Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olejniczak, in pursuit.
Investigators revealed that the fire captain pleaded, “Yolanda! Please… I don’t want to die,” to which Yolanda responded, “You should have thought about that before.” In the footage, Yolanda held a knife and ordered the victim to return indoors.
Rebecca was heard repeatedly asking her wife to call 911 before the couple moved out of the camera’s frame. This was the last time the fire captain was seen alive on camera. A few minutes later, the front door camera captured Yolanda loading the pets, luggage, and other belongings into a silver crossover SUV.
Investigators stated that by 8:22 p.m., she had left the home. Homeland Security records have since shown her car crossing into Mexico less than an hour later, according to the warrant.
On February 18, 2025, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office announced the death of the Cal Fire Captain. The 49-year-old woman’s death occurred the previous evening at around 8:58 p.m. in the 20200 block of Rancho Villa Road.
In a statement on the County Sheriff’s Office’s website, police disclosed that they were investigating Rebecca’s death as a homicide. Deputies from the Ramona Substation initially responded to a radio call about an assault with a deadly weapon at a residence in the area.
They found the victim inside her home with multiple stab wounds. The deputies administered life-saving measures until Cal Fire paramedics arrived. Unfortunately, Rebecca succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Sheriff’s Homicide Unit is now leading the investigation, with detectives working to contact persons of interest. They are also attempting to locate and apprehend the suspect promptly.
Investigators initially stated that they believed Rebecca knew her attacker, leading them to treat the case as a potential domestic violence incident. However, the motive and circumstances surrounding the homicide remain unclear.
The County Sheriff’s Office concluded its statement with a heartfelt message, saying, “Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of Rebecca Marodi during this challenging time. The San Diego Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to utilizing all available resources to thoroughly investigate this case and seek justice.”
On February 19, Cal Fire mourned the loss of their fallen captain, writing, “It is with great sadness that CAL FIRE reports the off-duty death of Fire Captain Rebecca ‘Becky’ Marodi. Captain Marodi served over 30 years with CAL FIRE, primarily in Riverside County, but also serving in San Bernardino and San Diego Counties.”
Their statement concluded, “The tragic loss of Captain Marodi is mourned by her family, friends, and her CAL FIRE family.” The Cal Fire San Diego Benevolent Fund has since created a fundraiser with a goal of $50,000. So far, $22,195 has been raised to honor Rebecca’s legacy and support her family.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330 or after hours at (858) 868-3200. Anonymous tips are also welcomed and can be made to Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
