California Fire Captain’s Slain Wife Detained by US Authorities Following Arrest in Mexico
Cal Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi, aged 49, was discovered fatally stabbed at her residence in San Diego County this past February.
A California woman was taken into U.S. custody after being apprehended by Mexican authorities in connection with the murder of her spouse, a state fire captain, last month, as announced by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office on March 22.
Rebecca Marodi, who served as Captain in the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, was found murdered at her home on Rancho Valley Road in northern San Diego County on February 17. She had been married to 54-year-old Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi for approximately two years.
“During their investigation, detectives developed probable cause to believe Yolanda was responsible for this tragic incident,” stated San Diego Sheriff’s Office Lt. Patrick Fox in an email to NTD, a sister media of The Epoch Times, on March 24.
U.S. marshals were notified on Saturday that Olejniczak Marodi had been located by Mexican authorities. She was subsequently taken into custody at a U.S. Port of Entry.
“Yolanda’s location had been unknown since before the crime on February 17, 2025, until her arrest in Mexico this weekend,” Fox remarked.
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“CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department acknowledges that Yolanda Marodi has been apprehended,” said Cal Fire public information officer April Newman in an email to NTD on March 24. “We appreciate our law enforcement partners in San Diego and Mexico for their diligent efforts. Becky was a cherished member of our community and department, and her absence is profoundly felt.”
It has been widely reported that a woman believed to be Rebecca Marodi can be heard on surveillance footage screaming, “Yolanda! Please … ! I don’t want to die!” The woman was also seen in video with blood on her back.
According to the video, Olejniczak Marodi left the scene before the victim’s mother returned home. Marodi tragically succumbed to her injuries after emergency responders performed life-saving measures that ultimately failed.
“In addition to her career, Rebecca was a devoted daughter, serving as the primary caregiver for her 77-year-old mother, who resided with her in Ramona,” the fundraiser website describes. “Her sudden and heartbreaking loss has left her family in immense grief and uncertainty.”
To date, the fundraiser has collected approximately $29,600.
Olejniczak Marodi is currently detained at Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility, located about 20 miles northeast of downtown San Diego.
The San Diego County District Attorney’s office has arranged her arraignment for March 26.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
