Cal Fire captain Rebecca ‘Beck’ Marodi stabbed to death by her ‘jealous’ lesbian wife, Yolanda Marodi (aka Yolanda Olenjniczak) – manhunt underway. Suspect served time for voluntarily manslaughter of her ex husband.
California authorities have launched a manhunt in search of the wife of a female San Diego fire captain who was stabbed to death inside the same couple’s home.
Yolanda Marodi, 53, is wanted in connection to the murder of her wife, Cal Fire captain Rebecca ‘Beck’ Marodi, 49.
‘In a significant development, Sheriff’s Homicide detectives have identified a suspect in this case. The suspect is Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olenjniczak,’ the sheriff’s office said in an announcement on Thursday.
‘Happy Valentine’s Day to may amazing wife.’
The body of the fire captain was found on the evening of Monday, February 17th when deputies were called to the Marodis’ Ramona home in Southern California for a report of an assault with a deadly weapon.
Deputies found Rebecca Marodi with multiple stab wounds, and despite life-saving measures, officials said she was pronounced dead on the scene.
The medical examiner’s office conducted an autopsy and determined the manner of death as homicide.
Officials initially said that they were treating the case as a possible domestic violence incident and indicated that the captain may have known the suspect.
The slaying comes just days after the Marodi’s wife, Yolanda posted on Instagram (@beck_marodi), ‘Happy Valentine’s Day to may amazing wife.’
A report via KCAL News cited the victim’s first wife, Lilia Phleger saying the relationship between the two women was very toxic, with the friend saying, ‘Yolanda was very jealous and did not want Becky maintaining the friendships she kept for years with other women.’
Phleger went on to call her former partner’s murder as ‘unfathomable.’
Suspect previously convicted of voluntarily manslaughter of former husband
Phleger and Becky Moradi had been previously been married for 7 years.
Yolanda Marodi is described as 5’2″ tall, weighing 166 lbs, with brown hair, according to officials. It is thought that Marodi may have fled to Mexico, sources say.
Police said a motive for the murder has yet to be determined.
‘Currently, the motivation and circumstances surrounding the homicide remain unclear, and detectives are diligently gathering more information to establish the facts of the case,’ the sheriff’s office said.
Of note, Yolanda Marodi was previously charged with murder in 2000 in San Bernardino County for allegedly stabbing her then husband to death, according to KABC.
She later pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 13 years and eight months in prison. She was in jail from February 2004 to November 2013 before being released, CBS8 reported.
Rebecca Marodi served more than 30 years with Cal Fire, mainly in Riverside County, starting as a volunteer in Moreno Valley. Most recently, officials confirmed she helped battle the Eaton Fire.
‘The tragic loss of Captain Marodi is mourned by her family, friends, and her CAL FIRE family,’ Cal Fire wrote in a post on X.
‘So glad I gave love another chance’
CAL Fire Riverside also acknowledged Marodi’s death and said her passing is a ‘profound loss.’
‘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,’ the department wrote in a statement on their Facebook page.
According to social media posts, Rebecca and Yolanda Marodi appeared to have been together since 2022.
‘No special occasion is ever needed, to express my love for my amazing wife. I’m 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’s been in it. So glad I gave love another chance,’ Yolanda Marodi shared in a 2023 Instagram post.
Marodi responded by commenting: ‘I love you my beautiful wife.’
Officials said that Rebecca Marodi was planning to retire later this year.
Anyone with information was asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330 or report anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
