Latest news with #Olejniczak
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect in Cal Fire captain's death makes first in-person court appearance
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The woman accused of killing her wife, Cal Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi, before fleeing to Mexico made her first in-person appearance before a San Diego County court on Monday. Yolanda Olejniczak, also identified by law enforcement as Yolanda Marodi, had been hospitalized for an unspecified ailment since her arrest in Baja California and extradition to U.S. soil following a weeks-long search. For her arraignment at the end of March, when she pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge in connection to Marodi's death, the 53-year-old appeared in court by video conference while still in a hospital bed. 'Becky was not alone': Friend reacts as suspect arrested in death of Cal Fire Captain The court during the hearing Monday set dates for the next steps in the case, including a readiness conference on June 11 and preliminary hearing at the end of September. Olejniczak has been ordered to be held in custody without bail or conditional release as the case continues by the judge at her arraignment, citing the violent nature of Marodi's death at the Ramona home they shared in mid-February. The judge mentioned Marodi had been found with over 30 stabbing or slashing wounds, and that law enforcement had described Ring camera footage of the attack where the 49-year-old could be heard pleading for her life. According to a person familiar with their relationship and a sheriff's official, Marodi had told Olejniczak she planned to leave her, ending their two-year marriage, the week prior to the stabbing. The judge further noted his decision to deny release on bond took into account Olejniczak's prior conviction on voluntary manslaughter for the fatal stabbing of her estranged husband in the early 2000s. If convicted in the case, Olejniczak could face a sentence of 25 years to life behind bars. 'This is a very tragic state of intimate partner violence,' Mara Duffy, deputy district attorney, said of the case after Olejniczak's arraignment. 'The victim was a beloved member of the Cal Fire community and I know this loss is being felt in that community.' If you or anyone you know needs help, call 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788 reach the 24-hour National Domestic Violence hotline. There is also an online chat available at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect in Cal Fire captain's fatal stabbing to appear in court for first time
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The suspect in the deadly stabbing of Cal Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi is set to appear in court for the first time Wednesday after she was found in Mexico over the weekend, ending a weeks-long manhunt. Yolanda Olejniczak, who has also been identified by law enforcement as Yolanda Marodi, is expected to be arraigned in an El Cajon courtroom on a first degree murder charge in connection to the stabbing of Marodi, her wife, at their Ramona home on Feb. 17. The 53-year-old had been considered at large in the month since. In a warrant for her arrest, law enforcement said she was believed to be in Mexico, as her vehicle had been logged by border officials at the San Ysidro Port of Entry hours after the stabbing. 'She always had a smile': Colleague remembers Cal Fire captain killed inside Ramona home Baja California officials announced on Saturday Olejniczak had been detained near a hotel in Mexicali, a Mexican border town adjacent to the California city of Calexico. Once authorities confirmed her identity, she was handed off to U.S. Marshals for extradition. Upon her return to the U.S., Olejniczak was briefly admitted for medical treatment before being booked into jail at the Las Colinas Detention Facility, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office said. The arraignment on Wednesday will cap weeks of tumult for Marodi's loved ones following her death. Several have pledged to follow every step of the case as it proceeds to trial. 'Becky meant so much to so many, and I can't just leave it,' Fran George, a friend of Marodi's from her motorcycle riding group, said to FOX 5/KUSI after Olejniczak's arrest. 'I just want to know that she's being held accountable. I want her to know Becky was not alone.' The events leading up to the stabbing were caught on Ring camera footage from the patio of the Ramona home Olejniczak shared with Marodi, her wife of two years, according to the warrant for her arrest. The warrant describes a grisly details of an altercation between the two captured by the camera in the hour before San Diego County Sheriff's deputies were called to the scene by Marodi's mother. 18-year-old arraigned on gun charges after National City house party shooting Per local law enforcement and a friend of the Cal Fire captain, Marodi had told Olejniczak she planned to leave her and end their marriage one week prior to the stabbing. It is not the first time Olejniczak has been accused of committing a domestic violence-related stabbing. Records show she previously pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the early 2000s after fatally stabbing her estranged husband, James Olejniczak, in San Bernardino County. It is unknown at this time how Olejniczak plans to plead in this case. Should she enter a not guilty plea, the 53-year-old will not be eligible for release from custody on bail as she awaits trial, according to jail records. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect in Cal Fire captain's death receives medical treatment ahead of jail booking
(FOX 5/KUSI) — The suspect in a Cal Fire captain's death who was extradited from Mexico over the weekend received medical treatment ahead of being booked into jail, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. The agency confirmed to FOX 5/KUSI on Monday morning that Yolanda Olejniczak, also known as Yolanda Marodi, was admitted for medical treatment in the time since Mexican authorities handed her over to U.S. Marshals on Saturday. 'I want her to know Becky was not alone': Friend reacts after suspect in death of Cal Fire captain arrested Olejniczak had been on the run for more than a month after the death of her wife, Rebecca Marodi, who was found with fatal stab wounds at her Ramona community home on February 17. Officials later said that Olejniczak's vehicle crossed into Mexico via the San Ysidro Port of Entry that same evening. More than a month later, the Baja California Secretary of Citizen Security announced that Olejniczak had been detained near a hotel in Mexicali, just across the border from the California city of Calexico. 'She always had a smile': Colleague remembers Cal Fire captain killed inside Ramona home On Saturday evening, Mexican officials handed her off to U.S. Marshals at the Calexico West U.S. Port of Entry. According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in eastern San Diego County is completing her booking process. Once that is done, the San Diego County District Attorney's Office and the county court will schedule an arraignment date for her. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect in Cal Fire captain's death arrested in Mexico: Police
SAN DIEGO (KSWB/KUSI) — Authorities say the woman accused of killing her estranged wife, Cal Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi, in an alleged domestic incident last month has been arrested in Baja California, Mexico. Marodi was found fatally stabbed on February 17 at her home in the San Diego County community of Ramona by her mother who lives on the property. The San Diego County Sheriff's Office said Rebecca Marodi had several injuries to her neck, chest, and back consistent with a stabbing. Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi was identified as the primary suspect in the case and authorities believed she had fled to Mexico. The San Diego County Sheriff's Office reports Olejniczak was seen on surveillance video shortly before the alleged stabbing and appeared to be arguing and physically assaulting Marodi. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports Olejniczak crossed into Mexico in her vehicle by the San Ysidro Port of Entry the night of the incident. Authorities in San Diego County had requested help finding Olejniczak in Mexico. She was ultimately arrested roughly 100 miles from Ramona near a hotel in Mexicali on Saturday, Baja California Citizen Security Secretariat officials report. After confirming her identity, Mexican authorities turned Olejniczak over to the U.S. Marshals at the Calexico West U.S. Port of Entry. Olejniczak will be booked into jail and faces a murder charge, the sheriff's office reports. 'She always had a smile': Colleague remembers Cal Fire captain killed inside Ramona home Court records obtained by Nexstar's KSWB/KUSI show Olejniczak had previously pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the early 2000s. She had been accused of fatally stabbing her estranged husband, James Olejniczak, in San Bernardino County. An investigation into the circumstances and motivation behind the fatal stabbing of Marodi remains ongoing. Anyone with more information is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or after hours at 858-868-3200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect in Cal Fire captain's death arrested in Baja California: Police
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The suspect accused of killing her wife, a San Diego County Cal Fire captain, has been arrested in Baja California, Mexico. Authorities in Baja California announced Yolanda Olejniczak has been arrested for the stabbing death of her estranged wife, Cal Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi, that happened on February 17. Officials identify suspect in stabbing death of Cal Fire captain Marodi was found fatally stabbed at her home in the San Diego County community of Ramona. Olejniczak had been on the run for about a month after she was identified as the primary suspect in the case and was believed to have fled to Mexico. Cal Fire captain dies after found with multiple stab wounds in Ramona U.S. authorities in San Diego County had requested help finding Olejniczak in Mexico. She was arrested by the FESC near a hotel in Mexicali. After confirming her identity, Mexican authorities turned Olejniczak back over to U.S. custody. 'She always had a smile': Colleague remembers Cal Fire captain killed inside Ramona home Court records obtained by FOX 5 show Olejniczak had previously pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the early 2000s after fatally stabbing her estranged husband, James Olejniczak, in San Bernardino County. Check back for updates on this breaking story Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
