THE FATAL STABBING OF CAL FIRE CAPTAIN REBECCA MARODI
Captain Rebecca Marodi
Rebecca “Becky” Marodi dedicated over 30 years of her life to firefighting, beginning her career in 1993 as a volunteer firefighter in Moreno Valley, California. Career Progression in Cal Fire 1994 – 2000: Served as a Seasonal Firefighter I in both San Bernardino and Riverside counties. 2000: Promoted to Firefighter II, taking on increased responsibilities in fire suppression and emergency response. 2007: Advanced to Fire Apparatus Engineer, a position requiring expertise in both firefighting tactics and operating complex fire suppression equipment. 2022: Earned the rank of Fire Captain, leading firefighting teams and overseeing emergency operations.
REBECCA MARODI
Cal Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi
Detailed Timeline of the Cal Fire Captain Stabbing Case Victim: Rebecca “Becky” Marodi (Cal Fire Captain)
Suspect: Yolanda Marodi (also known as Yolanda Olejniczak)
Location: Ramona, California
Date of Incident: February 17, 2025
Background on the Relationship:
- 2018: Rebecca Marodi and Yolanda Marodi married.
- 2025 (early February): Marital issues between Rebecca and Yolanda intensified. Rebecca had expressed concerns to friends and family about Yolanda’s behavior.
Events Leading Up to the Murder:
February 10, 2025
- Rebecca informed Yolanda that she wanted to end their marriage.
- Friends later reported that Yolanda reacted negatively and became increasingly possessive over the following days.
Day of the Murder:
February 17, 2025
8:08 PM:
- Home surveillance footage captured Rebecca running out onto their patio, trying to flee from Yolanda.
- In the footage, Rebecca is heard pleading: “Yolanda! Please… I don’t want to die.”
- Yolanda chillingly responded: “You should have thought about that before.”
8:09 PM:
- Both women re-entered the house. This was the last time Rebecca was seen alive on camera.
8:20 PM:
- Surveillance footage showed Yolanda exiting the house wearing different clothes.
- She was seen loading their pets and luggage into a Chevrolet Equinox SUV.
- She left the scene shortly afterward.
8:58 PM:
- Rebecca’s mother called 911, reporting that her daughter had been stabbed.
First responders arrived and found Rebecca suffering from multiple stab wounds.
- Paramedics arrived and attempted to provide lifesaving aid to Rebecca. While paramedics were rendering aid, one of them recognized Rebecca as a Cal-Fire Captain from the Riverside County Cal-Fire Station.
9:14 PM:
- Rebecca succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene at approximately 2114 hours by Sharp Hospital, Doctor Sterling. Deputies secured the scene and contacted the Homicide Unit..
Events After the Murder:
February 18, 2025
9:16 PM:
- Yolanda’s SUV was recorded crossing into Mexico.
- She later sent a message to an associate, which read: • “Becky came home and told me she was leaving me. She met someone else. All the messages were lies… I’m sorry.”
Investigation and Discovery of Yolanda’s Criminal Past
Authorities uncovered that Yolanda had a violent past:
2000:
- Yolanda was convicted of stabbing her then-husband, James Joseph Olejniczak, to death.
2002:
- She was sentenced to 13 years in prison for his murder.
2015:
- Yolanda was released from parole.
- Despite her past, she was able to start a new life and marry Rebecca.
Current Status of the Case
- Yolanda Marodi remains at large.
- Authorities believe she is hiding in Mexico and are coordinating with Mexican law enforcement to locate her.
- The FBI and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department have issued an arrest warrant and are asking for the public’s help in finding her.
Key Takeaways
- Rebecca’s murder was captured on home surveillance footage, showing her final moments.
- Yolanda fled the country within 24 hours of the crime.
- She had previously killed a spouse but was able to rebuild her life and marry again.
- Authorities suspect she is in hiding in Mexico and are actively searching for her.
YOLANDA MARODI
Wanted for Murder:
Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olejniczak, pleaded guilty in 2003 to voluntary manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of her then-husband, Joseph Olejniczak, according to San Bernardino County court records. She served nine years in prison, from 2004 to 2013.
Following the 2025 murder of Rebecca Marodi, Yolanda sent a message to a friend, stating:
“Becky came home and told me she was leaving. She met someone else. All the messages were lies. We had a big fight, and I hurt her… I’m sorry.”
Yolanda Marodi
Wanted for Murder: Yolanda Marodi
Arrest Warrant for Yolanda Marodi
Arrest Warrant for Yolanda Marodi
DECLARATION IN SUPPORT OF ARREST WARRANT FOR YOLANDA MARODI
AGENCY CASE NO.: SH25105813
FILED: February 21, 2025
COURT: Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
INCIDENT DETAILS
February 17, 2025
Ramona, California
Time: 8:58 PM
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from Lorena Marodi, reporting that her daughter, Rebecca Marodi, had been stabbed at their home at 20224 Rancho Villa Road, Ramona.
Officers Arrived: Deputies arrived on the scene and found Rebecca Marodi suffering from multiple lacerations and stab wounds, including:
- Neck area
- Chest
- Abdomen Medical Response:
- Paramedics attempted lifesaving efforts. Victim Identification:
- A paramedic recognized Rebecca as a Cal Fire Captain from the Riverside County Station.
Death Pronouncement: 9:14 PM
- Rebecca succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by Sharp Hospital’s Dr. Sterling. INITIAL INVESTIGATION
Lorena Marodi’s Statement:
- Rebecca was married to Yolanda Marodi.
- One week prior, Rebecca told Yolanda she was leaving her and ending their marriage.
- Lorena described Yolanda as someone who stayed at home most of the time, but she was now missing.
- Lorena provided Ring video surveillance to investigators.
SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE ANALYSIS
February 18, 2025 – 2:00 AM
Detectives reviewed Ring camera footage from the home, revealing the following sequence of events:
Patio Camera – 8:08 PM (February 17, 2025)
- Rebecca is seen running across the patio, wearing a black shirt and gray shorts.
- Yolanda (wearing a yellow shirt) is chasing after Rebecca.
- Rebecca is heard screaming: “Yolanda! Please… I don’t want to die!”
Rebecca reappears on camera, now with apparent blood on her back.
Yolanda responds coldly: “You should have thought about that before.”
Yolanda is seen holding a knife in her right hand, standing in front of Rebecca.
Rebecca repeatedly tells Yolanda to call 911.
Blood is visible on Yolanda’s arms
8:09 PM:
- Rebecca and Yolanda re-enter the house. This was the last time Rebecca was seen alive on video.
Front Door Camera – 8:20 PM (February 17, 2025)
Yolanda is seen gathering:
- Pets
- Random items
- Luggage
She loads them into a silver Chevrolet Equinox SUV.
8:22 PM:
- Yolanda leaves the residence, now wearing different clothing.
ESCAPE TO MEXICO (February 17-18, 2025)
9:16 PM – February 17, 2025:
- Homeland Security logs Yolanda’s vehicle entering Mexico.
POST-MURDER TEXT MESSAGE (February 18, 2025) February 20, 2025
- A known associate of Yolanda contacted investigators.
The associate provided a text message from Yolanda, sent on February 18, 2025:
“Becky came home and told me she was leaving me. She met someone else. All the messages were lies. We had a big fight, and I hurt her… I’m sorry.”
KEY EVIDENCE AGAINST YOLANDA MARODI
Video Surveillance Footage:
- Shows Yolanda chasing Rebecca with a knife.
- Captures Rebecca pleading for her life.
- Yolanda is seen covered in blood and refusing to call 911.
- Yolanda is identified as the attacker.
Motive:
- Rebecca had told Yolanda she was leaving the marriage.
Flight to Mexico:
- Yolanda fled within hours of the murder.
Text Confession:
- Yolanda admitted to “hurting” Rebecca in a text message.
CONCLUSION AND ARREST WARRANT REQUEST Based on the evidence, video footage, witness testimony, and Yolanda Marodi’s own statements, I, Cecilia Markland, believe that: Yolanda Marodi intentionally stabbed and murdered Rebecca Marodi. WHEREFORE, I respectfully request the issuance of an arrest warrant for Yolanda Marodi for the following violations:
- Murder (Penal Code 187(a))
- Use of a Deadly Weapon (Penal Code 12022(b)(1)) CURRENT STATUS
As of March 2, 2025, Yolanda Marodi remains at large.
- Authorities believe she is in Mexico and are coordinating with international law enforcement to locate and arrest her.
SOURCES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
- Case File San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Reports
- Ring Camera Footage Analysis
- Homeland Security Records on Border Crossing