A California woman who previously served prison time in connection with the fatal stabbing of her husband has received another lengthy sentence after admitting to killing her wife, a respected fire captain.
Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi, 54, was sentenced to 36 years to life in prison for the second-degree murder of her wife, Cal Fire Captain Rebecca “Becky” Marodi, 49. The sentencing follows her guilty plea in connection with the February 2025 killing at the couple’s home in Ramona, California.
Woman Receives Second Major Prison Sentence
Yolanda Marodi pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in August 2026 after initially facing a first-degree murder charge. The plea agreement brought the case to a close more than a year after Rebecca Marodi’s death.
Investigators said Rebecca’s mother discovered her with multiple stab wounds on February 17, 2025. Emergency responders attempted to save her, but she later died from her injuries.
Authorities alleged that home surveillance footage captured the violent confrontation between the couple. According to investigators, Yolanda chased her wife while carrying a knife before the fatal attack.
Suspect Fled to Mexico After the Killing
Following the attack, Yolanda Marodi left the United States and traveled to Mexico, authorities said. She was located and arrested in Mexicali more than a month later before being transferred to U.S. custody.
Prosecutors said the couple’s relationship had been deteriorating before the killing. The two had married in 2022.
Rebecca Marodi was a longtime fire service professional whose death deeply affected her community and colleagues. Prosecutors described the case as a devastating example of domestic violence and emphasized the need to protect victims of abuse.
Previous Conviction Linked to Former Husband’s Death
The 2025 killing was not Yolanda Marodi’s first conviction involving the death of a spouse.
In 2003, she pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of her then-husband, Jim Olejniczak, which occurred in 2000. She later served approximately nine years in prison before her release.
With her latest conviction and sentence, Yolanda Marodi now faces 36 years to life behind bars for the killing of her wife.
