Slain Calif. Fire Captain's Last Words Recounted in Court as Wife Stands Accused of Murder

Rebecca Marodi's final pleas were heard on home security footage before she was fatally stabbed, according to testimony

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Yolanda Marodi is accused of fatally stabbing her wife, Rebecca Marodi, a California fire captain, at their home in Ramona, California on February 17, 2025. During a preliminary hearing, a detective testified that home security footage showed Rebecca pleading "I don't want to die" before she was stabbed 23 times. Yolanda allegedly fled the area after the incident and was arrested over a month later in Mexico.

Why it matters

This case highlights the tragic consequences of domestic violence and the importance of addressing such issues within relationships. The details revealed in court provide a sobering look at the final moments of the victim's life and raise questions about the warning signs that may have been missed prior to the fatal attack.

The details

According to testimony, home security footage showed Yolanda Marodi holding a knife while Rebecca Marodi could be heard pleading "I don't want to die." Yolanda allegedly responded, "You should have thought about that before." Rebecca was also heard calling out for her mother, to which Yolanda allegedly replied, "She's not here." Prosecutors say Yolanda fled the scene minutes after the killing, loading pets and luggage into an SUV before crossing the border into Mexico, where she was arrested over a month later.

  • On February 17, 2025, Rebecca Marodi was fatally stabbed at her home in Ramona, California.
  • Yolanda Marodi was arrested over a month later, in March 2025, near a hotel in Mexicali, Mexico.

The players

Yolanda Marodi

The 54-year-old wife of Rebecca Marodi, who is accused of fatally stabbing her wife at their home in Ramona, California.

Rebecca Marodi

A California fire captain who was fatally stabbed 23 times in the chest, neck, and abdomen at her home in Ramona, California.

Lorena Marodi

The mother of Rebecca Marodi, who found her daughter's body and called the police.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I don't want to die”

— Rebecca Marodi (NBC 7)

“You should have thought about that before.”

— Yolanda Marodi (KABC, NBC News, CNN)

“Becky came home and told me she was leaving me. She met someone else; all the messages were lies. We had a big fight, and I hurt her ... I'm sorry”

— Yolanda Marodi (NBC 7)

What’s next

A trial for Yolanda Marodi is tentatively scheduled for June, after a judge ruled there was enough evidence for the case to proceed.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the need for greater awareness and prevention of domestic violence, as well as the importance of providing support and resources for those affected. It serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences that can occur when warning signs are overlooked or left unaddressed within relationships.