Fire Captain Stabbed to Death — Wife on the Run After Chilling Video Footage
Rebecca "Becky" Marodi spent decades saving lives, rushing into danger while others ran away. As a fire captain with Cal Fire, she earned the respect of her colleagues and the admiration of her community. But on the night of Feb. 17, 2025, she found herself in the kind of life-or-death situation she couldn't escape. She had no firehose, no backup, and no way out.
A Desperate Plea That Went Unanswered
Police say surveillance footage captured the terrifying final moments before Marodi was stabbed to death in her Ramona, California, home. In the footage, Marodi reportedly ran across her patio, desperately trying to flee. "Yolanda! Please ... I don't want to die," she pleaded, according to an arrest warrant obtained by WDSU News.
But there was no mercy. The woman chasing her allegedly held a knife, blood visible on her arms. Authorities identified the woman as Marodi's wife, Yolanda Marodi — also known as Yolanda Olejniczak. "You should have thought about that before," she reportedly responded, as reported by WDSU News.
Marodi's voice was not heard again.
Surveillance Footage Captured a Killer's Escape, Police Say
Minutes after the confrontation, authorities say the camera at Marodi's front door showed Olejniczak loading pets, luggage, and belongings into a silver SUV. By 8:22 p.m., she drove away. Less than an hour later, Homeland Security records show the vehicle crossing into Mexico.
What investigators found inside the home was a crime scene so brutal that even seasoned law enforcement officers were reportedly shaken. Marodi had suffered multiple stab wounds to her neck, chest, and abdomen. Despite attempts by first responders to save her, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
A Chilling Confession — Then Silence
The next day, an acquaintance of Olejniczak contacted investigators with a disturbing message. Olejniczak had reportedly sent her a text, explaining that she and Marodi had argued the night before.
"Becky came home and told me she was leaving me, she met someone else, all the messages were lies," the text read, according to WDSU. "We had a big fight and I hurt her ... I'm sorry."
But authorities say that wasn't just any fight — it was a deadly one.
This Wasn't the First Time, Police Say
Investigators soon uncovered an even darker past. Olejniczak had reportedly killed before. According to WDSU, she pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in 2004 for stabbing a man — believed to be her then-husband. She served time in prison until 2013.
Now, more than a decade later, she's once again at the center of a homicide investigation, but this time, she's missing.
A Firefighter Who Deserved More
For 30 years, Marodi put her life on the line for others. She started as a volunteer firefighter in 1993 and worked her way up to captain in 2022. Her colleagues say she was a mentor, a protector, and a friend.
"She was very sweet and very kind and everything else," neighbor Monika Evans told WTOC. "Had a sense of humor, too."
On Feb. 18, 2025, Cal Fire crews honored her with a solemn procession, escorting her from her home to the San Diego Medical Examiner's Office.
Justice Delayed
As of March 13, 2025, Olejniczak remains at large and is believed to be in Mexico. She was last spotted crossing the border in a silver 2013 Chevrolet Equinox with California license plate 8BQJ420. The Sheriff's Office has asked police on both sides of the border to be on the lookout.
Investigators continue searching, urging anyone with information to call the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. This investigation is ongoing.
References: Cal Fire Captain Found Stabbed to Death at Home in Suspected Domestic Violence Incident | Suspect Identified in Stabbing Death of Cal Fire Captain — and It's Her Wife, Who Previously Killed a Man | Woman accused of killing her wife, a California fire captain, and fleeing to Mexico | Fire captain found stabbed to death in her home | Wife sought in killing of Cal Fire captain fled to Mexico, authorities say
