Yolanda Marodi: Woman suspected of murdering fire captain wife sought by police
A marriage ends in allegedly fatal domestic dispute - and not for the first time for the suspect.
Investigators have named the wife of a fire captain as a suspect in her murder in California, and police say that the suspect is now on the run.
On Feb. 17, 2025, police were dispatched to a home on the 20200 block of Rancho Villa Road at about 8:58 p.m. in response to a report about an assault with a deadly weapon, according to a press release from the San Diego Sheriff’s Office (SDSO).
Police on the scene found a woman deceased, who was later identified as 49-year-old Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi with the city of Menifee Fire Station 68. She had suffered from multiple stab wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The case was passed on to the SDSO’s Homicide unit, the release adds. At the time of the original release, investigators said “the motivation and circumstances of the homicide are still unclear.”
The release adds that an autopsy later confirmed the victim’s death to be a result of stab wounds.
KTLA reports, however, that police believe the murder was the result of a domestic violence incident.
Police are now looking for Rebecca’s wife of two years, Yolanda Marodi, 53, who remains on the loose. In a another press release, the SDSO describes Marodi as 5’2” in height, weighing 166 pounds, and has brown eyes and brown hair. She has tattoos on both of her upper right and left arms.
The release adds that she also goes by Yolanda Olejniczak, and “is believed to be driving a silver 2013 Chevrolet Equinox with California license plate ‘8BQJ420.’ She is traveling with a small white dog.”
The Sheriff’s office, U.S. Marshals Service's San Diego Fugitive Task Force and San Diego County Crime Stoppers are working together to track her down.
Yolanda Marodi’s history of violence
The Independent’s Feb. 21 report revealed the startling revelation that Marodi was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 2004 for the murder of her husband at the time, James Olenjniczak, who was also stabbed in his own home in Fontana in October 2000.
Marodi and Olenjnicak had a son and daughter who were just infants when their father died.
Via the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Independent confirmed that Marodi spent 13 years and eight months in prison for the murder, despite being sentenced to 11. She served extra time as a result of drug and alcohol use.
Rebecca Marodi’s ex-wife expressed her heartbreak to CBS and told reporters that the marriage between her and Yolanda had been a toxic one in which Yolanda displayed signs of jealousy.
“You don’t ever want somebody that you once cared for so much to suffer,” Lilia Phleger said. “For this to happen to Becky, in our home, this was the home we lived in together. It’s just unfathomable.”
She said of Rebecca and Yolanda:
“It was a typical toxic relationship. Yolanda was very jealous. My understanding is she was very jealous and did not want to have Becky maintain the friendships she had for years with other women.”
Vicki Conner, who is friends with Rebecca’s mother, told Fox 5 that she was unaware of Yolanda’s criminal history.
“No, no—especially with her work in physical therapy and handling personal information from people,” Conner said.
Fox 5 reports that Yolanda worked as a receptionist at a local physical therapy office.
A brave woman is commemorated and remembered
Rebecca Marodi’s tragic death came at a time when she was believed to be planning to retire later in 2025, according to the Independent.
Marodi began as a volunteer firefighter with Cal Fire in Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego Counties in 1993, working her way up from there to fire captain in 2022. She helped to lead the battles against the Eaton wildfires that devastated Southern California last month. In 32 years of dedication to protecting her community, Marodi is remembered as a woman who always wore a smile.
Vicki Conner told Fox 5 that Rebecca had a passion for saving lives and animals, in particular for rescuing horses.
John Clingingsmith, a Cal Fire Riverside County public information officer, told ABC7:
“She was always very positive. Always had a smile on her face. It didn’t matter what the situation was. I think that’s one of the things everybody has been talking about, was her smile and her laugh, and just the fact that she was always there.”
The CAL FIRE statement stated that:
“Beyond her operational assignments, Captain Marodi was deeply involved in Peer Support and Hazmat, always prioritizing the well-being of her colleagues. 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 Sheriff’s office has alerted authorities both in the U.S. and Mexico about Yolanda being on the run. Tips about Olejniczak and her whereabouts should be called in to 9-1-1 or the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330, or after hours at (858) 868-3200.
Anyone with leads can also call Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. The press release states that Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case.
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Sources
SDSO press releases