Cal Fire/RivCo Fire Captain Mourned Following Fatal Stabbing

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — A Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department captain who was found fatally stabbed inside her San Diego County home Monday night is being remembered by her colleagues as a mentor whose loss will be felt for years to come.

Cal Fire crews held a procession Tuesday morning in front of the Ramona home of Captain Rebecca Marodi, 49.

The solemn ritual followed violence.

According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, a call was received at 8:58 p.m. Monday about an assault with a deadly weapon in the 20200 block of Rancho Villa Road.

Once at the scene, deputies found Marodi inside her home with multiple stab wounds. Despite life-saving efforts by first responders, the captain succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to a Tuesday news release from the sheriff's office, the motivation and circumstances of the homicide remain under investigation. However, detectives believe Marodi knew her killer and are treating the case as a potential domestic violence incident.

"Homicide detectives are actively working to contact persons of interest, identify a suspect, and locate and apprehend them as quickly as possible," according to the sheriff's office.

It's not clear who called to report the assault.

"Born on June 14, 1975, Captain Marodi dedicated over 30 years of her life to the fire service," according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

She began her Cal Fire career as a volunteer firefighter in 1993 in Moreno Valley, then worked as a seasonal firefighter from 1994 to 2000 with San Bernardino and Riverside units before being promoted in 2000. She became a fire apparatus engineer in 2007 and was promoted to captain in 2022.

Throughout her career, she held assignments at the Emergency Command Center in Perris, Home Gardens Fire Station 13, Indian Wells Fire Station 55, Menifee Fire Station 68, North Rancho Mirage Fire Station 69, Temecula Battalion 15 relief, and French Valley Fire Station 83.

Marodi was also 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," Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department said.

"Please keep Rebecca's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers," the agency continued, noting that it is "standing together in remembrance of [Marodi's] extraordinary life and service."

Funeral services were not announced.

Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to contact the San Diego County Sheriff's Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or, after hours, at 858-868-3200. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

The law enforcement agency said, "Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of Rebecca Marodi during this challenging time. The San Diego Sheriff's Office is dedicated to utilizing all available resources to thoroughly investigate this case and seek justice."