Wife of slain Cal Fire Captain due for preliminary hearing in murder case

Yolanda Marodi accused of fatally stabbing her wife, a veteran state firefighter, at their Ramona home and then fleeing to Mexico

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A woman accused of fatally stabbing her wife, a veteran state firefighter, at their Ramona home and then fleeing to Mexico, is due in court Tuesday for a hearing to determine whether she will go to trial for murder. Yolanda Marodi, 54, is accused of killing her spouse of two years, Cal Fire Capt. Rebecca "Becky" Marodi, at the couple's Rancho Villa Road home on the night of Feb. 17, 2025.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence, even within the LGBTQ community, and the need for better support systems and resources for victims. It also raises questions about bail and sentencing policies for repeat offenders, as Yolanda Marodi was previously convicted of voluntary manslaughter in another spousal homicide case.

The details

Deputies responding to a report of an assault found the 49-year-old victim, Rebecca Marodi, suffering from stab wounds to her neck, chest and abdomen. Rebecca Marodi, who had worked for the state firefighting agency for more than 30 years, died at the scene. Yolanda Marodi allegedly headed across the U.S.-Mexico border shortly after the killing. Mexican authorities later arrested her near a hotel in the Ferrocarril neighborhood of Mexicali.

  • On the night of Feb. 17, 2025, Yolanda Marodi allegedly fatally stabbed her wife, Rebecca Marodi.
  • Yolanda Marodi was arrested by Mexican authorities near a hotel in Mexicali shortly after the killing.

The players

Yolanda Marodi

A 54-year-old woman accused of fatally stabbing her wife, Rebecca Marodi, and then fleeing to Mexico. She was previously convicted of voluntary manslaughter in another spousal homicide case.

Rebecca "Becky" Marodi

A 49-year-old Cal Fire Captain who was fatally stabbed by her wife, Yolanda Marodi, at their Ramona home. She had worked for the state firefighting agency for more than 30 years.

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What they’re saying

“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

What’s next

Yolanda Marodi is due in court on Tuesday for a preliminary hearing to determine if she will go to trial for the murder of her wife, Rebecca Marodi.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the ongoing need for better support and resources for victims of domestic violence, even within the LGBTQ community. It also raises questions about bail and sentencing policies for repeat offenders, as the suspect had previously been convicted of voluntary manslaughter in another spousal homicide case.