A California woman, Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi, aged 54, has pleaded guilty to the murder of her spouse, firefighter captain Rebecca Marodi, at their home in Ramona. Her plea occurred last year and follows a previous conviction for the fatal stabbing of her former husband.
Marodi admitted guilt on Tuesday to second-degree murder of her wife, Rebecca “Becky” Marodi, aged 49, who served as a dedicated firefighter in California. The stabbing happened in February 2025, with Rebecca found deceased from multiple stab wounds at the scene.
While admitting her guilt to the murder charge, she acknowledged her previous serious felony conviction linked to her former husband, James Joseph Olejniczak, whom she stabbed to death in 2000. For that crime, she had been found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in 2003 and was released in 2013.
The attack on February 17, 2025, left Rebecca Marodi with several stab wounds to her neck, chest, and back. Surveillance footage captured the moment she attempted to escape while Yolanda Marodi pursued her.
EVIDENCE FROM A FUGITIVE CASE
Investigations revealed that Yolanda Marodi fled to Mexico after the incident. She stayed there for over a month before authorities arrested her in Mexicali and returned her to the United States. Yolanda Marodi was arrested at a Mexicali hotel near the U.S. border by Mexican authorities.
Initially, she pleaded not guilty to the murder charges but later changed her plea to guilty for second-degree murder. Her sentencing is scheduled for September 2.
Rebecca Marodi had over three decades of service with Cal Fire, largely in Riverside County. She began as a volunteer in Moreno Valley and was active in combating the Eaton Fire. Her department acknowledged her death, emphasizing her lasting impact on coworkers and loved ones.
CAL Fire Riverside expressed their sense of loss, highlighting Rebecca Marodi’s legacy of mentorship and dedication. They conveyed deep condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.