Woman Arrested in Mexico in Connection to Fire Captain’s Murder
SAN DIEGO – Authorities have apprehended a woman in Mexico suspected of fatally stabbing her wife, a fire captain, at their Southern California residence. The suspect had been at large for over a month, Mexican officials announced Saturday.
Capture in Mexicali
Yolanda Marodi was taken into custody in Mexicali, Baja California, at a hotel approximately 2.3 miles south of the U.S. border, according to a statement from the Baja California Citizen Security Secretariat (SSCBC).
Extradition and U.S. Custody
The SSCBC facilitated Marodi’s transfer to the U.S. border in collaboration with Mexico’s National Institute of Migration. Upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry, she was handed over to the U.S. Marshals Service, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department confirmed in a release regarding her apprehension.
Details of the Homicide
Marodi is wanted by U.S. law enforcement in connection to the death of 49-year-old Rebecca “Becky” Marodi. The victim, a respected fire captain in California, was killed on February 17 at the couple’s San Diego County home.
International Cooperation Leads to Arrest
The secretariat highlighted that collaboration and information sharing with American authorities were crucial in leading to the arrest.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Affidavit Details Gruesome Scene
Court documents supporting the arrest warrant for Yolanda Marodi describe a disturbing scene captured on home security video. The footage reportedly shows Yolanda Marodi confronting a bleeding Rebecca Marodi with a knife outside their Ramona home on February 17.
Victim’s Plea Recorded
The affidavit reveals that Rebecca Marodi can be heard on the recording pleading, “Yolanda! Please … ! don’t want to die,” as the pair moved across a patio that evening.
Suspect’s Chilling Response
Yolanda Marodi allegedly responded with the statement, “You should have thought about that before,” court documents indicate.
Mother-in-Law Discovers Stabbing
Rebecca Marodi’s mother, who resided with the couple, contacted law enforcement to report that her daughter had been stabbed, according to the affidavit.
Suspect Flees After Incident
Security camera footage reportedly captured Yolanda Marodi, having changed clothes, loading possessions, luggage, and pets into her silver Chevrolet Equinox SUV and driving away from the residence shortly after the stabbing, the document states.
Border Crossing
Records from the Department of Homeland Security indicate the SUV crossed into Mexico later the same night, approximately 45 miles south of Ramona, as per the affidavit.
Murder Charge Filed
Yolanda Marodi was formally charged with murder on February 21.
Extensive Search Efforts
The search for Marodi involved the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Marshal’s Service San Diego Fugitive Task Force, officials stated. A spokesperson for Baja California’s state security agency previously mentioned that authorities in Mexico were actively searching for her in conjunction with U.S. counterparts.
Past Manslaughter Conviction
Reports indicate that Yolanda Marodi pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in 2003 for the stabbing death of her husband, Jim Olejniczak, in 2000. She was released from custody a decade later.
Suspect’s Text Message Alleges Marital Discord
According to the affidavit, an unnamed witness received a text message from Yolanda Marodi the day after Rebecca Marodi’s death, claiming Rebecca Marodi had confessed to meeting someone else and intending to leave.
The text message reportedly stated: “Becky came home and told me she was leaving, she met someone else, all the messages were lies. We had a big fight and I hurt her…I’m sorry,” as detailed in the affidavit.
Victim’s Fatal Wounds
First responders who arrived at the scene reported that Rebecca Marodi suffered multiple stab wounds, including lacerations to her neck, chest, and abdomen, the document revealed. She was pronounced dead at the location.
Rebecca Marodi: A Dedicated Firefighter
According to a joint statement from Cal Fire and the Riverside County Fire Department, Rebecca Marodi served in firefighting for over 30 years. She began as a volunteer in Moreno Valley and progressed through the ranks, becoming an engineer in 2007 and captain in 2022. Her service primarily focused on Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Commitment to Peer Support
Rebecca Marodi dedicated a significant portion of her career to peer support, consistently prioritizing the welfare of her colleagues, the statement noted.
Frontline Service
An Instagram post from Cal Fire’s Temecula battalion highlighted Rebecca Marodi’s presence on the front lines of the Eaton Fire in Altadena, a devastating windstorm-driven blaze in January.
Community Mourns Loss
A Cal Fire San Diego Benevolent Fund online campaign to support Rebecca Marodi’s family described her as a woman who “dedicated more than three decades to serving and protecting our communities with unwavering bravery, leadership, and commitment.”