RAMONA, CALIF. — Disturbing new details emerged in court this week in the case of a veteran California fire captain who was fatally stabbed in her home last year. Court testimony highlighted her desperate final words, and prosecutors outlined key evidence against her spouse, now charged with murder. The accused wife has been ordered to face trial later this year.
Grim Courtroom Testimony Reveals Victim’s Final Words
During a preliminary hearing in El Cajon Superior Court, law enforcement described chilling video and audio footage captured from the couple’s home security system. According to prosecution testimony, the captain — identified as 49-year-old Rebecca “Becky” Marodi, a long-serving member of the state wildfire agency — can be heard pleading for her life. Her recorded words included a plea of, “I don’t want to die,” as the attack unfolded.
Investigators say the footage also captured the suspect’s response and actions during the violent altercation, leading to her arrest and extradition from Mexico months later.
Suspect’s Actions and Motive Detailed by Prosecutors
Prosecutors allege that 54-year-old Yolanda Marodi stabbed her wife repeatedly at their Rancho Villa Road residence in Ramona on the evening of Feb. 17, 2025. According to testimony in court, the victim suffered multiple stab wounds to her neck, chest and abdomen.
Friends and family reportedly saw signs of escalating tension between the couple in the days leading up to the incident. A text attributed to the suspect surfaced after the killing, in which she admitted to hurting her spouse following an argument over the future of their marriage.
Trial Set After Judge Finds Sufficient Evidence
A judge ruled there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial, which is tentatively scheduled for mid-2026. Yolanda Marodi has entered a plea of not guilty. Court records show she fled the area after the incident and was apprehended in Mexico more than a month later before being brought back to face charges in San Diego County.
The case continues to draw attention as prosecutors prepare to present their evidence and testimony at trial later this year.
