California Woman Pleads Guilty to Second Husband’s Murder After Previous Manslaughter Conviction

Incident Overview

A woman in California, Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi, 54, has admitted guilt in the murder of her spouse, who was a fire captain. This incident took place last year. Decades earlier, she was convicted for the fatal stabbing of her former husband.

Legal Proceedings

Yolanda Marodi acknowledged her guilt on Tuesday by pleading guilty to second-degree murder. Her wife, Rebecca ‘Becky’ Marodi, 49, a longtime firefighter in California, was discovered fatally stabbed in their Ramona residence in February 2025.

During the court proceedings, when asked about her plea to the charge of second-degree murder, Marodi responded with a guilty plea.

Authorities found Rebecca Marodi with multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

As part of her guilty plea, Marodi confessed to having a prior serious felony on her record. It originated from the 2000 stabbing death of her then-husband, James Joseph Olejniczak. She had initially pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in that case back in 2003 and was released in 2013.

Details of the Crime

The incident involving Rebecca occurred on February 17, 2025. She, a veteran Cal Fire captain, sustained multiple stab wounds. Surveillance footage showed her trying to escape as Yolanda Marodi chased her. Rebecca’s injuries were concentrated on her neck, chest, and back, which align with a stabbing.

After this incident, investigators alleged that Yolanda Marodi fled to Mexico, where she stayed for over a month. She was later apprehended in Mexicali and brought back to the U.S.

Arrest and Sentencing

Mexican authorities arrested Yolanda Marodi at a hotel near the U.S. border in Mexicali. Initially, she pleaded not guilty to the murder but later changed her plea to guilty for second-degree murder. Her sentencing is set for September 2.

Rebecca Marodi’s Legacy

Rebecca Marodi served over 30 years at Cal Fire, mostly in Riverside County. She began as a volunteer in Moreno Valley and had recently participated in battling the Eaton Fire.

The Riverside division of Cal Fire expressed grief over her death, emphasizing her legacy of mentoring, dedication, and service. In a Facebook statement, they described her passing as a significant loss.