RAMONA, CALIFORNIA — Yolanda Marodi pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of her wife, Rebecca Marodi, at the San Diego Superior Court in El Cajon. The plea resolves the case stemming from the fatal stabbing that occurred on February 17, 2025, in Ramona, California.

Rebecca Marodi died from multiple stab wounds to her neck, chest, and abdomen at her home on Rancho Villa Road. Testimony presented during the proceedings indicated that she sustained 23 stab wounds during the assault.

The couple had been married for just over two years before the incident. About a week before the killing, Rebecca Marodi informed Yolanda Marodi that she was ending the marriage.

Surveillance footage from a Ring security camera captured Rebecca Marodi fleeing her home while being chased by Yolanda Marodi. The audio from the video recorded Rebecca Marodi saying, "Yolanda! Please.. I don't want to die." The surveillance video audio also recorded Yolanda Marodi responding, "You should have thought about that before." Footage showed Yolanda Marodi holding a knife with blood on her arms following the attack.

Approximately 10 minutes after the assault, surveillance video recorded Yolanda Marodi loading items into a silver Chevrolet Equinox SUV and driving away. She crossed the U.S.-Mexico border approximately one hour after the killing.

Lorena Marodi found her daughter's body and called 911. She testified that she found a trail of blood leading inside the house and her daughter's motionless body face down in a hallway.

Sheriff's deputy Angela Peratis testified that she and her partner attempted life-saving measures until firefighters arrived. Emergency responders were unable to revive Rebecca Marodi.

Mexican authorities arrested Yolanda Marodi just over a month later at a hotel in the Ferrocarril neighborhood of Mexicali. Her extradition allowed prosecutors to proceed with the case in San Diego County.

The day after the killing, Yolanda Marodi sent a text message to an associate stating, "Becky came home and told me she was leaving me, she met someone else, all the messages were lies. We had a big fight and I hurt her.. I'm sorry." This message provided investigators with insight into her stated motive. Yolanda Marodi is scheduled to be sentenced to 36 years to life in prison on September 2.

Yolanda Marodi previously pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the 2000 stabbing death of her husband, Jim Olejniczak. She was sentenced in 2004 to 11 years in prison for that conviction. Yolanda Marodi served time in prison from 2004 until 2013. Records indicate she served nearly 10 years for the prior conviction.

Rebecca Marodi was a Cal Fire captain who worked in firefighting for more than 30 years. She started her firefighting career as a volunteer in Moreno Valley. During her career, Rebecca Marodi helped battle the Eaton fire. Her service spanned decades and included response to major regional emergencies.

Why It Matters

The case shows a pattern of lethal domestic violence following relationship terminations, reflected by surveillance evidence of the victim's final pleas. It also marks a second fatal stabbing conviction for the perpetrator, who previously served nearly a decade for killing her husband. The resolution brings a 36-years-to-life sentence for the death of a Cal Fire captain with over 30 years of public service.