Wife named suspect in killing of Cal Fire captain and remains at large, sheriff says
The wife of a Cal Fire captain found stabbed to death in her San Diego County home was identified as a suspect Thursday by law enforcement officials, who confirmed she previously served time in prison in connection with another killing.
As the search continued Friday, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office released a description of the vehicle investigators believe is being driven by 53-year-old Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olenjniczak. She has been named the suspect in the killing of Rebecca Marodi, a 30-year firefighting veteran who was currently stationed in French Valley just north of Temecula.
The two had been married for a little over two years, sheriff's officials said. No suspected motive has been released.
Rebecca Marodi, 49, was suffering from multiple stab wounds Monday evening when deputies responded to a home in the 20200 block of Rancho Villa Road in Ramona, according to sheriff's officials.
She was later pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim's ex-wife, Lilia Phleger, said the couple had what she described as a "toxic relationship," with Yolanda Marodi showing signs of jealousy during their relationship.
"You don't ever want somebody that you once cared for so much to suffer," Phleger said. "For this to happen to Becky, in our home, this was the home we lived in together. It's just unfathomable."
"It was a typical toxic relationship," Phleger said. "Yolanda was very jealous. My understanding is she was very jealous and did not want to have Becky maintain the friendships she had for years with other women."
In a statement, the law enforcement agency asked for the public's help finding Yolanda Marodi, describing her as having brown hair, standing about 5'2" tall and weighing 166 pounds. Detectives believe she is driving a silver 2013 Chevrolet Equinox with the California license plate of 8BQJ420.
She served a sentence of 13 years and eight months in prison for criminal charges including voluntary manslaughter, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
She pleaded to that charge in connection with another killing, sheriff's officials said.
Court records show she was suspected of killing James Joseph Olejniczak in San Bernardino County on Oct. 24, 2000. She was released from state prison and moved to parole supervision in November 2013, prison officials said.
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office has not released any other information about the circumstances of Rebecca Marodi's death.
"The motivation and circumstances surrounding this homicide remain under investigation as detectives work diligently to gather more information and establish a comprehensive understanding of the case," the statement reads.
The Cal Fire captain's firefighting career dates back to 1993, when she served as a volunteer firefighter in Moreno Valley before working as a staff firefighter in San Bernardino and Riverside. She was promoted to captain in 2022 after years of moving up the ranks within the department.
"Beyond her operational assignments, Captain Marodi was deeply involved in Peer Support and Hazmat, always prioritizing the well-being of her colleagues," Cal Fire officials said in a statement following her death. "Her legacy of mentorship, service, and dedication will be felt for years to come. Her passing is a profound loss to her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside her."
Anyone with information on Olenjniczak's whereabouts is urged to call the San Diego County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330, or during after-hours, at 858-868-3200. Anonymous tips can be forwarded to Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
