Rebecca Marodi, a fire captain from California, was discovered fatally stabbed in her home in the 20200 block of Rancho Villa Road on Monday night, Feb. 17, triggering a police investigation to find the perpetrator and the motive.
Marodi, 49, serving with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), was found at her residence in Ramona, California, with multiple stab wounds. Deputies had responded to a call regarding an assault involving a lethal weapon, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
Despite immediate life-saving efforts by first responders, Marodi was declared dead at the scene. The sheriff’s office, in an official statement, announced the case is being investigated as a domestic violence incident.
As of Wednesday night, Feb. 19, officials have not reported the arrest of a suspect, but authorities are searching for Yolanda Marodi, 53, who also goes by the name Yolanda Olejniczak, in relation to the murder. She was identified as the victim’s wife.
According to statements from Cal Fire and Riverside County Fire Department, Marodi had dedicated over 30 years of service to the department, primarily in Riverside County, California. She initially started her career as a volunteer firefighter in 1993 and, through her commitment and diligence, ascended the ranks to the position of Captain in 2022.
The department’s statement praised Marodi for always prioritizing her colleagues’ welfare and noted her legacy of mentorship, service, and dedication will be remembered for years.
Monika Evans, a neighbor, expressed to KTLA that there were no signs of domestic trouble in Marodi’s household. “They’d be mowing, they’d be doing wood, gardening … you know the usual stuff,” Evans said. “Never saw any problems.”
According to Lt. Michael Krugh of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the motivation and circumstances surrounding the homicide are currently unclear, and detectives are actively working to gather additional information to determine the facts of the case. Lt. Krugh stated that the couple had been married for slightly more than two years, according to their family.
The sheriff’s office reported on Thursday that the suspect’s whereabouts remain uncertain. Yolanda Marodi is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 166 pounds, with brown hair.
On Tuesday morning, Cal Fire crews paid tribute to Marodi with a procession from her home to the San Diego Medical Examiner’s Office.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Homicide Unit is urging anyone with information about Marodi’s death to call (858) 285-6330 or after hours at (858) 868-3200. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
