Authorities asked the public Friday for help in finding an ex-con suspected of killing her wife, a veteran state firefighter, at the victim’s Ramona home.
Detectives believe that Yolanda Marodi, 53, fatally stabbed her spouse of two years, Cal Fire Capt. Rebecca “Becky” Marodi, 49, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspect, who also goes by the last name Olejniczak, is believed to be traveling with a small white dog in a silver 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, California license No. 8BQJ420. She is 5 feet, 2 inches tall, weighs about 165 pounds, and has brown eyes, brown hair and tattoos on both her upper arms, authorities said.
Sheriff’s officials have alerted authorities on both side of the border about the suspect, they said in a news release.
Deputies responding to a report of an assault about 9 p.m. Monday found Rebecca Marodi, at her residence in the 20200 block of Rancho Villa Road. The victim, who had worked for Cal Fire for more than 30 years, died at the scene.
Yolanda Marodi served prison time from February 2004 to November 2013 after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter for an October 2000 homicide in San Bernardino County, according to prosecutors.
A criminal complaint filed in the case identifies the victim as James Olejniczak and alleges that the killing was committed with a knife.
Family court documents filed at the North County courthouse in Vista indicate James Olejniczak and Yolanda Olejniczak filed for divorce five months before his death, in May 2000.
Anyone who might be able to help authorities track down the suspect is asked to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
Updated 7:05 p.m. Feb. 21, 2025
