Suspect Identified In Fatal Stabbing Of Cal Fire Captain

RAMONA, CA — Authorities on Thursday publicly identified a suspect in the fatal stabbing of a Cal Fire captain in San Diego County.

Yolanda Marodi, 53, who is also known as Yolanda Olejniczak, is suspected of killing her 49-year-old wife, Cal Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

According to the family, they were married for a little more than two years, sheriff's Lt. Michael Krugh told Patch.

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 in Ramona.

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

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.

Marodi dedicated more than 30 years of her life to the fire service, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

"Her passing is a profound loss to her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside her," the department said in a news release. "We extend our deepest condolences to Captain Marodi's loved ones and stand together in remembrance of her extraordinary life and service."

Officials said earlier this week that they were treating the case as a potential domestic violence incident.

"The San Diego Sheriff's Office is committed to utilizing all available resources to thoroughly investigate this case and to seek justice for the Marodi family," Krugh said.

Olejniczak has not been arrested and her location is not known. She is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall and 166 pounds, with brown hair.

"The motivation and circumstances surrounding this homicide remain under investigation as detectives work diligently to gather more information and establish a comprehensive understanding of the case," Krugh said.

A spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office confirmed the suspect in Marodi's slaying was previously charged with an October 2000 murder in San Bernardino County.
The criminal complaint in that case states the victim was James Joseph Olejniczak and that the killing was committed with a knife. The relationship between the defendant and victim was not disclosed in the document.

Olejniczak later pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter.

Emily Humpal, a spokesperson with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, said Olejniczak was sentenced to 13 years and eight months in prison for the manslaughter, plus possession of drugs or alcohol in jail as a second striker. Olejniczak, 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.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts was asked to contact the 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.

Also see:

• Cal Fire Captain Remembered Following Fatal Stabbing At Ramona Home
• Cal Fire Captain Fatally Stabbed In Ramona Home