Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olejniczak, has been arrested in Mexico in connection with the brutal stabbing death of her estranged wife, Rebecca “Becky” Marodi, a 49-year-old Cal Fire Captain.

The arrest took place a month after Becky Marodi was murdered outside the couple’s San Diego home, an incident that was caught on camera.

According to a warrant from U.S. authorities, video footage also captured Olejniczak crossing the Mexico border just hours after the February 17 killing.

Following her arrest, she was transferred to the custody of U.S. Marshals. The San Diego Sheriff’s Department confirmed that she would be processed and booked on murder charges.

 Video Evidence of Cal Fire Captain Murder

Security footage from a Ring camera captured the harrowing moments of the attack. Becky Marodi, a captain with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), could be heard pleading for her life. 

In the video, she desperately cried out, “Please … I don’t want to die,” just before being fatally stabbed.

The footage reportedly shows Olejniczak chasing Marodi around the front patio. Moments later, Marodi appears with what seems to be blood on her neck, while Olejniczak stands nearby, holding a blade with blood on her arms, according to a warrant from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.

Becky Marodi’s mother, Lorena, who also lived in the home, called 911 around 9 p.m. on the night of the attack. Marodi was transported to Sharp Hospital, where she was pronounced dead from multiple stab wounds.

Minutes after the alleged killing, Olejniczak was seen “gathering pets, random items, and some luggage, and loading it into a silver Chevrolet Equinox SUV.”

She then sent a text message to a friend stating, “We had a big fight, and I hurt her. I’m sorry,” according to reports.

Shortly after, she crossed the border into Mexico.

Motive and Criminal History

Authorities believe the motive for the murder stemmed from Becky Marodi’s desire to end their two-year marriage. Reports indicate that she had expressed her intention to divorce Olejniczak just a week before the fatal attack.

Court documents also reveal that Olejniczak had a violent past. From 2004 to 2013, she served time in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the stabbing death of her then-husband, James J. Olejniczak Jr. 

In 1995, she had a fraud conviction for unlawfully collecting more than $4,000 in state aid.

Statement from Cal Fire

Following the tragic loss of Becky Marodi, Cal Fire released a statement mourning her death:

“CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department is aware that Yolanda Marodi was apprehended. We thank our law enforcement partners in San Diego and Mexico for their hard work. Becky was a beloved member of our community and Department, and we miss her greatly.”

Becky Marodi was a 30-year veteran of the department and was widely respected among her peers.