Cal Fire Captain Remembered Following Fatal Stabbing At Ramona Home

RAMONA, CA — A Cal Fire captain who was found fatally stabbed inside her San Diego County home was 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. She was 49.

The solemn ritual followed violence.

Deputies responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon shortly before 9 p.m. Monday at a home in the 20200 block of Rancho Villa Road, according to the San Diego Sheriff's Office.

• Also see: Cal Fire Captain Fatally Stabbed In Ramona Home

Deputies found Marodi inside her home with multiple stab wounds in the home, sheriff's Lt. Michael Krugh said. Despite life-saving efforts by first responders, she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

"With a heavy heart we mourn the passing of Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi," Menifee-based Riverside County Fire Department Station 68 posted on Facebook. "Our deepest condolences and prayers to the family and fire family."

The sheriff's Homicide Unit was investigating her death. The motivation and circumstances of the homicide remain under investigation, but detectives believe Marodi knew her killer and were 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," Krugh said. "Investigators suspect that the victim knew the perpetrator and are treating this case as a potential domestic violence incident."

It was not clear who called to report the assault.

Marodi, who was born on June 14, 1975, dedicated more than 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 both the San Bernardino and Riverside units before being promoted to firefighter 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.

"Beyond her operational assignments, Captain Marodi was deeply involved in peer support and hazmat, always prioritizing the well-being of her colleagues," the department said in a news release. "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 added. "We extend our deepest condolences to Captain Marodi's loved ones and stand together in remembrance of her extraordinary life and service."

Anyone with information about the homicide was asked to call the Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or after hours at 858-868-3200. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

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