Full Breakdown
California Woman Sentenced for Killing Cal Fire Captain
9/4/2026, 11:16:31 AM
Core Event: Murder and Sentencing
Yolanda Marodi, 54, was sentenced to 36 years-to-life in prison for the February 2025 stabbing death of her wife, Cal Fire Captain Rebecca “Becky” Marodi, 49. The killing occurred at the couple’s home in Ramona, northeast of San Diego. Prosecutors said the victim sustained roughly two dozen stab wounds to the neck, chest and abdomen.
Background & Context
Marodi’s criminal history includes a 2003 guilty plea to voluntary manslaughter for fatally stabbing her then-husband, Jim Olejniczak, in Riverside County. She served nine years in prison from 2004 to 2013. The couple had married on June 17, 2022, and their two-year marriage was reported to be deteriorating in early 2025. After the February killing, Marodi fled to Mexico, crossing the U.S.–Mexico border the same night.
Timeline
- June 17, 2022 – Yolanda and Rebecca Marodi marry.
- February 2025 – Marodi fatally stabs Rebecca at their Ramona home.
- Early August – Marodi enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder, avoiding a first-degree trial.
- March 22, 2025 – Mexican authorities arrest Marodi in Mexicali, approximately one month after the killing.
- Early September – A San Diego County court sentences Marodi to 36 years-to-life.
Data & Statistics
- Sentence: 36 years-to-life imprisonment.
- Stab wounds: 23 wounds documented by the preliminary hearing.
- Prior incarceration: Roughly a decade (?10 years) served for the 2003 manslaughter conviction.
- Marriage duration: About two years before the fatal incident.
Official Statements & Responses
Rebecca Marodi’s mother, Lorena Marodi, testified at sentencing that she discovered her daughter’s body and called 911. She expressed a resolve to pursue justice despite the personal loss.
Why It Matters
The case underscores the prevalence of intimate-partner violence, even among public-service professionals. Prosecutors and advocacy groups point to the sentencing as a signal that domestic-violence perpetrators will be held accountable, regardless of their social standing. The incident also highlights challenges in cross-border law enforcement, as Marodi’s flight to Mexico required coordination between U.S. and Mexican authorities.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In the face of the greatest darkness, I have stood strong to receive justice for my amazing, beautiful, strong daughter,” — Lorena Marodi, can honor captain
- “This was a vicious murder of a respected and dedicated Fire Captain who dedicated her entire career to serving her community,” — Summer Stephan, county district attorney
