Authorities in Southern California have launched a massive manhunt for 53-year-old Yolanda Marodi, the prime suspect in the brutal stabbing death of her wife, Cal Fire Captain Rebecca “Beck” Marodi.
On February 17, deputies responded to a distress call at the couple’s home, where they discovered Captain Marodi with multiple stab wounds. Despite emergency efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene. The San Diego Sheriff’s Office has since confirmed that her wife, Yolanda Marodi, is wanted in connection with the killing.
In a shocking revelation, investigators uncovered Marodi’s violent past—she had previously pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for stabbing a man to death in 2000. After serving nearly a decade in prison, she was released in 2013. Now, just over a decade later, she is accused of another deadly stabbing, this time of her own spouse.
Authorities describe Marodi as 5’2” tall, weighing 166 pounds, with brown hair. While a motive remains unclear, detectives are working tirelessly to piece together the circumstances leading to this horrific crime.
Captain Marodi was a beloved firefighter who dedicated more than 30 years to Cal Fire, primarily in Riverside County. She started her career as a volunteer in Moreno Valley and played a vital role in battling wildfires, including the recent Eaton Fire. Colleagues remember her as a mentor, leader, and dedicated public servant.
The tragic murder has left the firefighting community in mourning. “Her legacy of mentorship, service, and dedication will be felt for years to come,” Cal Fire Riverside said in a statement.
Social media posts from 2023 painted a picture of a loving marriage, with Yolanda Marodi expressing gratitude for her wife, saying, “My life has never been better since she’s been in it.” Now, just a year later, she is on the run, accused of taking that very life.
With Marodi still at large, authorities urge the public to report any sightings. Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Diego Sheriff’s Office immediately.
