California fire captain is allegedly killed by wife who fled to Mexico

Lifestyle
Paul Johns
February 27, 2025
10 minutes read

( Image: Facebook)

Rebecca Mardi, a 49-year-old Cal Fire captain, was tragically stabbed to death by her wife, Yolanda Olenjniczak, 53, in their San Diego home on February 17. Chilling Ring camera footage captured Marodi pleading for her life, saying, “I don’t want to die,” before she succumbed to her injuries.

The video, provided by Marodi’s mother, has been handed over to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office as part of the investigation. The distressing footage shows Olenjniczak pursuing Marodi on the patio, with a female voice, believed to be Marodi, heard yelling, “Yolanda! Please… I don’t want to die.”

Olenjniczak reportedly responded, “You should have thought about that before.” The warrant details that Olenjniczak was seen standing in front of Marodi with what appeared to be a knife in her right hand, her arms covered in blood, told CNN.

Approximately 10 minutes later, Olenjniczak was seen gathering pets, luggage, and other items before loading them into a silver Chevrolet Equinox SUV. She also sent a text to a friend, stating, “We had a big fight and I hurt her. I’m sorry.”

Deputies dispatched to the couple’s home found Marodi with multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Just a week before her death, Marodi had told Olenjniczak she wanted to end their two-year marriage.

The married couple seemed deeply in love from their social media posts ( Image: Facebook)

Olenjniczak, now a suspect in the murder, has a history of violent crime. She previously served a prison sentence for the fatal stabbing of her then-husband, James Joseph Olejniczak, in San Bernardino County over 20 years ago.

Convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 2003, she was released in November 2013. Authorities fear Olenjniczak may have fled to Mexico after her vehicle, with license plate 8BQJ420, was seen crossing the border. Reports suggest she may be accompanied by a small, white dog.

Marodi, known as “Becky” to her colleagues, was nearing retirement after over three decades of service with Cal Fire. Her death has left her family, friends, and coworkers in shock as they mourn the loss of a dedicated public servant. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to bring Olenjniczak to justice.