Manhunt underway for suspect in Cal Fire captain's murder

A woman sought in connection with the fatal stabbing of her wife, a Cal Fire captain, was previously convicted of killing her first spouse, according to court records and law enforcement officials.

Rebecca Marodi, 49, a Cal Fire captain who recently fought the Eaton fire, was found stabbed to death at a residence in Ramona, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department reported. Her 53-year-old wife, Yolanda Marodi – also known as Yolanda Olejniczak – is now a suspect in the homicide.

Public records reveal the couple had been married for just over two years and shared the same address, according to Sheriff's Lt. Michael Krugh. Court documents show Yolanda has a previous conviction for voluntary manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of her then-husband, James Joseph Olejniczak, for which she was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2004. She served time until 2013.

Authorities describe Yolanda as 5 feet 2 inches tall, approximately 166 pounds, with brown hair. She remains at large, and the Sheriff's Department has requested public assistance in locating her.

Rebecca began her firefighting career as a volunteer in Moreno Valley in 1993. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Riverside County Fire Department, she worked as a seasonal firefighter in Riverside and San Bernardino counties from 1994 to 2000. She was promoted to fire apparatus engineer in 2007 and to captain in 2022.

Social media records show Yolanda expressed affection for her wife on Instagram in January 2023, writing, "No special occasion is ever needed, to express my love for my amazing wife. I am so lucky to have married someone that loves me for ME. She truly helps me be a better me, and my life has never been better since she has been in it. So glad I gave love another chance."

Rebecca replied to that post with the comment: "I love you my beautiful wife."