Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi, the wife of a slain Cal Fire captain, was arrested in Mexicali on Saturday. She is the primary suspect in the murder of her wife, Rebecca Marodi, who was found dead at their home in Ramona, California, on February 17.
Olejniczak Marodi, 53, was taken into custody at a hotel and later transferred to U.S. marshals in San Diego. Authorities had identified her as the main suspect in the case three weeks prior to her arrest. According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, she had fled to Mexico shortly after the incident.
Rebecca Marodi, 49, was a respected firefighter known for her bravery and dedication. She had been married to Olejniczak Marodi for just over two years. Friends and family described their relationship as troubled, with reports of arguments and tension leading up to the tragic event.
In the days before her death, Rebecca had reportedly told her wife that she wanted to end their marriage. Surveillance footage from their home captured a heated argument on the night of the incident. In the video, a woman believed to be Rebecca can be heard pleading, “Yolanda! Please … ! I don’t want to die!” before the scene escalates.
After the stabbing, Olejniczak Marodi was seen packing belongings into her SUV, which was later spotted crossing the border into Mexico. This footage contributed to the case against her, as investigators pieced together the events leading to Rebecca’s death.
Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi has a criminal history, having previously served nearly a decade in prison for the voluntary manslaughter of her first husband, James Joseph Olejniczak, in 2000.
As the investigation continues, Olejniczak Marodi is expected to face serious charges, including murder. The community is left in shock, mourning the loss of a dedicated firefighter and grappling with the circumstances surrounding her death.