SAN DIEGO—In a tragic turn of events, a San Diego woman has been apprehended in Mexico for the murder of her wife, a respected official in the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Authorities confirmed the arrest of Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi in connection with the February 17 death of 49-year-old Cal Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi at their Ramona home.
Rebecca Marodi was tragically discovered stabbed to death, and investigators quickly identified Olejniczak Marodi as the main suspect. Mexican authorities located and arrested her at a hotel in Mexicali, situated just across the U.S. border. Following her arrest, state security agents handed her over to U.S. marshals, and she was subsequently brought back to the United States. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office announced her impending booking and assured the public that the investigation remains active.
Currently, it remains unknown whether Olejniczak Marodi, who is 53, has legal representation. Her history includes a previous conviction for a similar crime—the stabbing death of her former husband, for which she served nearly ten years in prison. The courthouse records revealed that she pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the 2000 incident.
The couple, who had been married for slightly over two years, was involved in a violent altercation captured on home surveillance. The footage gruesomely portrays the moments leading up to Marodi’s death, highlighting a distressing exchange with Olejniczak Marodi that turned physical. The security cameras also documented Olejniczak Marodi packing and fleeing in a silver SUV later seen making its way into Mexico.
Rebecca Marodi distinguished herself as a decorated captain at Cal Fire, recently contributing to efforts in the significant Eaton fire near Los Angeles. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a dedicated firefighter while grappling with the disturbing circumstances surrounding her death.
