Police have moved swiftly in the investigation of Cal Fire Captain Rebecca “Becky” Marodi’s death, which they are calling a homicide. The main suspect was seen on camera on the night of the murder and has since fled across the border.

Days after the February 17, 2025, death of The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Captain Rebecca “Becky” Marodi, progress has been made. An arrest warrant has revealed the 49-year-old’s final moments after she was found fatally stabbed in her California home.

According to authorities, the captain’s wife murdered her before fleeing to Mexico. An arrest warrant filed at the San Diego County Superior Court on February 21 stated that Rebecca was discovered with multiple stab wounds in her Ramona home.

The warrant further revealed that the victim’s mother called 911 at around 9 p.m. and deputies arrived within minutes. However, Rebecca was pronounced dead at the scene about 15 minutes later.

The arrest warrant detailed how surveillance footage from the couple’s home captured parts of the attack. It noted that at 8:08 p.m., Rebecca was seen running across the patio with her wife, Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olejniczak, in pursuit.

Investigators revealed that the fire captain pleaded, “Yolanda! Please… I don’t want to die,” to which Yolanda responded, “You should have thought about that before.” In the footage, Yolanda held a knife and ordered the victim to return indoors.

Rebecca was heard repeatedly asking her wife to call 911 before the couple moved out of the camera’s frame. This was the last time the fire captain was seen alive on camera. A few minutes later, the front door camera captured Yolanda loading the pets, luggage, and other belongings into a silver crossover SUV.

Investigators stated that by 8:22 p.m., she had left the home. Homeland Security records have since shown her car crossing into Mexico less than an hour later, according to the warrant.

The arrest warrant also revealed that in a further development in the case, an acquaintance of Yolanda’s has come forward with a text message that was sent to them a day after the murder. The suspect wrote, “Becky came home and told me she was leaving me, she met someone else, all the messages were lies.”

In the message, Yolanda expressed remorse, stating, “We had a big fight and I hurt her… I’m sorry.” Authorities disclosed that Rebecca sustained stab wounds to her chest, neck, and abdomen in the fatal attack.

This isn’t Yolanda’s first brush with the law. The suspect, who remains at large, was sentenced in 2004 after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of her then-husband.

Court records indicate that she served prison time for the crime until 2013. On February 26, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Tanya Sierra said, “We are not able to discuss the facts or evidence in open cases.”

On February 18, 2025, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office announced the death of the Cal Fire Captain. The 49-year-old woman’s death occurred the previous evening at around 8:58 p.m. in the 20200 block of Rancho Villa Road.

In a statement on the County Sheriff’s Office’s website, police disclosed that they were investigating Rebecca’s death as a homicide. Deputies from the Ramona Substation initially responded to a radio call about an assault with a deadly weapon at a residence in the area.

They found the victim inside her home with multiple stab wounds. The deputies administered life-saving measures until Cal Fire paramedics arrived. Unfortunately, Rebecca succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Sheriff’s Homicide Unit is now leading the investigation, with detectives working to contact persons of interest. They are also attempting to locate and apprehend the suspect promptly.

Investigators initially stated that they believed Rebecca knew her attacker, leading them to treat the case as a potential domestic violence incident. However, the motive and circumstances surrounding the homicide remain unclear.

The County Sheriff’s Office concluded its statement with a heartfelt message, saying, “Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of Rebecca Marodi during this challenging time. The San Diego Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to utilizing all available resources to thoroughly investigate this case and seek justice.”

On February 19, Cal Fire mourned the loss of its fallen captain, writing, “It is with great sadness that CAL FIRE reports the off-duty death of Fire Captain Rebecca ‘Becky’ Marodi. Captain Marodi served over 30 years with CAL FIRE, primarily in Riverside County, but also serving in San Bernardino and San Diego Counties.”

Their statement concluded, “The tragic loss of Captain Marodi is mourned by her family, friends, and her CAL FIRE family.” The Cal Fire San Diego Benevolent Fund has since created a fundraiser with a goal of $50,000. So far, $22,195 has been raised to honor Rebecca’s legacy and support her family.

In January, Rebecca was one of the brave firefighters who battled the Eaton Fire as it ravaged Los Angeles County. Capt. John Clingingsmith Jr., of Cal Fire Riverside County, recalled, “She was on her engine in one of our strike teams of fire engines that were sent to assist.”

In a social media video posted by Cal Fire at the time, Rebecca was heard bravely saying, “When we arrived on scene, fire (was) all around us.” She continued, “The feeling that I got while we were trying to make a stance on this fire was overwhelming and sad.”

Showing her dedication to her work, the firefighter captain concluded, “I just wanted to be able to make a difference. At one point, we just said if we can save these three houses, let’s do it.”

That same month, the late fire captain posted a video and photos of her in action, fighting fires in Pasadena. Over the years, Rebecca didn’t only share photos of her working, but also of the good times she had with family and friends.

In February 2024, she uploaded a fun throwback picture of herself sticking her tongue out while posing with family. She captioned the post, “We miss you every day papa but thank you for giving us so many beautiful morning sunrises to look at since you left.”

In November 2024, she shared joyful images of Thanksgiving celebrations with her family and friends.

According to the non-profit running Rebecca’s fundraiser, she began working as a volunteer firefighter in 1993 in Moreno Valley. She then served as a seasonal firefighter in Riverside and San Bernardino counties before becoming a fire apparatus engineer in 2007 and a captain in 2022.

The late firefighter captain was the primary caregiver to her 77-year-old mother, who lived with her.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330 or after hours at (858) 868-3200. Anonymous tips are also welcomed and can be made to Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.