RivCo Public's Help Sought To Find Suspect In Homicide Of Fire Captain

MENIFEE, CA — Days after a Menifee fire captain was fatally stabbed in her Ramona home, her suspected killer was still on the loose, authorities said.

A suspect in the homicide of the Cal Fire captain, was identified as the the victim's wife, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

Yolanda Marodi, 53, who was married to 49-year-old Rebecca "Becky" Marodi, captain of the Riverside County Fire Menifee Station, has not been located since the incident.

She is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall and 166 pounds, with brown hair.

The station, along with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, have pleaded with the public in recent days to help them find Yolanda.

"Any information to help catch this... Please call immediately," the Menifee station posted on Facebook.

Also known as Yolanda Olejniczak, she was married to Marodi for a little over two years, sheriff's Lt. Michael Krugh told Patch.

If convicted, this would't be the first time Yolanda has committed a crime of this nature. In 2000, she pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for the killing of James Joseph Olejniczak with a knife, according to the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office.

Yolanda was then sentenced to 13 years and eight months in prison, plus possession of drugs or alcohol in jail as a second striker. Yolanda, who had more than 1,300 days credit for custodial time served prior to sentencing, was imprisoned from February of 2004 until November of 2013, Emily Humpal, a spokesperson with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, said.

When Marodi was found earlier this week, she had multiple stab wounds, Krugh said. Despite life-saving efforts by first responders, she died of her injuries.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy on Wednesday and concluded that she died from stab wounds or sharp force entries, Krugh said. Her death was ruled a homicide.

Anyone with information on Yolanda's whereabouts was asked to contact the Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or after hours at 858-868-3200. To remain anonymous, call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

Marodi, has served as a firefighter for three decades, beginning as a volunteer firefighter in Moreno Valley.

She was the sole caregiver for her mother, who still needs assistance. The Cal Fire San Diego Benevolent Fund announced that it is raising money to help her mother remain in her home and to cover the costs of funeral services.

"A life cut short by a horrific act. Becky was the primary caregiver for her mother and her mother will continue to need assistance. If you can, please donate and [a]... donation match will be done by our San Diego Chapter Benevolent Fund. Please share and spread the word, thank you," the Menifee Station said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

So far, the campaign has raised $8,910 of its $50,000 goal.

"She was not just a respected leader and mentor — she was a beloved member of the CalFire family," a campaign organizer wrote.

Learn more about the fundraiser here.

Patch editor Kristina Houck contributed to this report.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story erroneously identified Marodi as a fire chief in the headline.