Web Desk
SAN DIEGO, CA – A horrifying case of domestic violence has shaken the San Diego community.
On February 17, 2025, Cal Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi was found brutally stabbed in her Ramona home.
Authorities later arrested her estranged wife, Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi, in Mexicali, Mexico, on March 22, 2025.
Rebecca, 49, had informed Yolanda, 53, of her decision to end their marriage shortly before the attack. Investigators believe this announcement led to a violent confrontation.
Neighbors and friends had previously witnessed escalating tensions between the two, making this tragedy all the more devastating.
On the night of the murder, emergency responders arrived at Rebecca’s home after reports of an assault with a deadly weapon.
She had sustained multiple stab wounds to her neck, chest, and back. Tragically, she breathed her last on the spot.
Surveillance footage from a Ring camera captured chilling moments of the altercation. Rebecca can be heard desperately pleading, “Yolanda! Please…! I don’t want to die!” before the attack.
The video also shows Yolanda packing her belongings, loading their pets into a car, and fleeing the scene in a silver Chevrolet Equinox.
Hours later, she crossed into Mexico through the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
Authorities launched an extensive manhunt, eventually tracking Yolanda to a hotel in Mexicali.
Mexican police arrested her and handed her over to U.S. Marshals for extradition.
This is not Yolanda’s first violent crime. In the early 2000s, she pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of her then-husband, James Olejniczak.
She served nearly a decade in prison before her release. Rebecca’s family and friends are now questioning how such a tragic fate could have been prevented, given Yolanda’s criminal past.
Rebecca’s death has left a deep void in the firefighting community. A memorial service held in Ramona saw dozens of mourners gathering in the rain to honor her life.
The Cal Fire San Diego Benevolent Fund is raising funds to support her grieving family.
As the case moves forward, authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
This shocking crime highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence and the urgent need for stronger protections for victims.
The investigation continues as the community mourns the loss of a dedicated firefighter and beloved friend.
