Latest news with #SanDiegoSheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
She Was Murdered, Her Legs Thrown in Dumpster — and Husband Went on Shopping Spree with Credit Cards in Her Name
When Laurie Diane Potter, 54, of Temecula, Calif., disappeared without a trace in 2003, her husband, Jack Potter, began opening credit cards in her name and spending lavishly Potter became enamored with a woman he met at a strip club and gave her extravagant gifts including a Hummer and a credit card with a $30,000 limit Laurie Potter was never reported missing, the San Diego Sheriff's Office said A California man convicted of discarding his murdered wife's severed legs in a dumpster before opening credit cards in her name and spending lavishly on a boat and a Hummer SUV for his new girlfriend he met at a strip club has learned his fate. On Friday, May 2, Jack Potter, 72, was sentenced to 15 years-to-life in state prison for the 2003 murder of his wife, Laurie Diane Potter, 54, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a statement. 'This was a brutal, calculated murder that shattered the lives of Laurie's loved ones, who then had to endure nearly 20 years of unanswered questions and unimaginable grief,' DA Stephan said. The gruesome crime came to the attention of law enforcement on Oct. 5, 2003, when a maintenance worker at the Country Hills Apartment complex in Rancho San Diego found a pair of severed human legs in a dumpster, PEOPLE previously reported. The Medical Examiner's Office and the San Diego Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit "exhausted all traditional avenues of identifying the woman without success," the sheriff's office said in a release in 2021. The case went cold until 2020, when the San Diego County Sheriff's Homicide Cold Case Team used investigative genetic genealogy for the first time to try to identify the victim, Stephan said. Using DNA from the legs, the Cold Case Team identified the woman's adult son, the sheriff's office said in the release. Through DNA, the victim was positively identified as Laurie Diane Potter and the Cold Case Team began an intensive investigation into Laurie's life, the sheriff's office said. Investigators learned that in 2003, Laurie was a resident of Temecula, married to Jack Dennis Potter, and had never been reported missing, the sheriff's office said. "The investigation revealed substantial and convincing evidence that Jack murdered Laurie," it said. Related: Calif. Man Charged with Murder 17 Years After Wife's Legs Were Found in Dumpster Potter was arrested in 2021 in connection with his wife's death. In February 2025, a month before his trial was set to begin, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and confessed to smothering his wife to death. Details of the lavish life Potter led after his wife's legs were found came to light during grand jury proceedings in August 2024. Jurors heard how Potter 'became obsessed in 2003 with a woman he met at a strip club—who shared the same first name as his wife,' Stephan said. Within weeks of Laurie's legs being discovered, Potter opened multiple credit accounts and 'made extravagant purchases, including a new pick-up truck, a Hummer SUV, and a ski boat,' Stephan said. He gave the Hummer and boat to his new girlfriend, rented her an apartment in Corona Hills, and provided her with a credit card carrying a $30,000 limit. Over the years, Potter continued opening credit cards in Laurie's name and fraudulently filing Family Court documents claiming he had contacted his wife about the proceedings—years after she had been murdered, Stephan said. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. He went to Family Court to sell the family home in Temecula 'and pocket all profits,' Stephan said. 'This case is a stark reminder that the pursuit of justice never stops,' said DA Stephan. 'And neither does the grief of those who lose someone to violence. Today, we honor Laurie's memory and stand with her family in their long-awaited moment of justice.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
5.2 magnitude earthquake near San Diego rattles Southern California
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck Southern California on Monday. According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake was centered south of Julian, Calif., about 55 miles east of San Diego, at a depth of 13.4 km. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, according to the San Diego Sheriff's Office. People in Southern California received emergency alerts on their phones telling them to "Drop, Cover, Hold On." The National Weather Service in San Diego said in a post on X that the quake was not expected to produce a tsunami. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the earthquake, according to a note on X from his office. It added that state and local authorities were in the process of assessing "any damage and if emergency response is needed.' The earthquake could be felt as far north as Los Angeles. The hosts of Fox's Good Day LA said the lights shook in the studio. The Los Angeles Fire Department said that it was in "earthquake mode," with personnel from all 105 of its fire stations conducting damage assessments across the city. "This process typically takes less than one hour," it said.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Yahoo
Family of Rebecca Zahau seeks justice 14 years after her death
(FOX 5/KUSI) — Since July 2011, Mary Zahau-Loehner has made it her mission to get to the truth about the cause of her sister Rebecca's death. The 32-year-old was found gagged and bound with her arms and legs tied from behind, and hanging naked from a balcony at her billionaire boyfriend Jonah Shacknai's Coronado mansion. Homicide detectives, under the leadership of former Sheriff Bill Gore, called it a suicide, but it was a conclusion that Zahau-Loehner never believed. 'It's almost 14 years now since she's been gone. My sister did not commit suicide and I know that her murder has been covered up,' Zahau-Loehner said. 'My sister's case from the beginning is a very simple easy murder to solve.' For the past two years, Zahau-Loehner has poured her heart out into her recently published book, 'Unraveling the Knots.' It's a deep dive into her sister's case, including never-before-seen pictures, autopsy reports, court transcripts and more. 2021 book details the Coronado Mansion case When it comes to the sheriff's office's investigation and subsequent reviews, she doesn't hold back. 'What I am trying to reveal with the book is the corruption of the San Diego Sheriff's Office. The lies about the case. The lies to the family,' Zahau-Loehner said. Within the book's nearly 300 pages and 25 chapters, Zahau-Loehner picks apart some of the agency's evidence that she says was left behind and glossed over. 'They know there was a partial male fingerprint in there if they claim that they couldn't investigate back then. Then I would like with the current technology to restest it again,' Zahau-Loehner said. There is also a piece of evidence that Zahau-Loehner says was overlooked. 'The dryer sheet in the room was not even collected, and it's a well-known concept that dryer sheets are used to remove fingerprints,' Zahau-Loehner said. She also points out flaws with the office's video re-creation of how knots were tied around Rebecca's wrists. Zahau-Loehner said the direction and the type of knot is wrong, and that officials haven't even bothered to try to recreate the entire scenario. Zahau-Loehner believes they simply wanted to make this look like a suicide to close the case. 'They did a bunch of busy work to make it look like they worked and did something, but they didn't do anything,' Zahau-Loehner said. In a statement, a representative of the sheriff's office said, 'Our sympathies continue to go out to all those affected by Rebecca's passing. At this time, there is no new information which would lead the San Diego County Sheriff's Office to re-open this investigation.' Rebecca's death wasn't the only one at the historic Spreckels Mansion. Days before, her boyfriend's young son, Max, fell over a staircase railing and was hospitalized with severe trauma. He died after Rebecca did and his death was ruled an accident. Sheriff's investigators have suggested Rebecca killed herself because she was distraught over Max's fall. 'There was definitely a conspiracy as far as what should happen with the case,' Zahau-Loehner said. However, Zahau-Loehner claims Rebecca's boyfriend's brother, Adam, was liable for her death because he wanted revenge for her not watching over the boy. In a 2018 civil trial, a jury did find Adam liable, giving Rebecca's family $5 million in damages. While they never cared about the money and knowing it would not bring Rebecca back, Zahau-Loehner has this message: 'Confess your murder. It will give you peace on this earth and it will give you forgiveness and a better life and really bring closure to the family.' Zahau-Loehner is hoping the medical examiner will change her sister's manner of death to undetermined or murder, and she's asking the current Sheriff, Kelly Martinez, to hand the case over to the FBI or another agency for a full investigation. A representative of the Department of the Medical Examiner said that after an attorney for the Zahau family requested a review of Rebecca's death in 2022, staff pathologists and a medical examiner who originally worked on the case reviewed it again. In September of 2023, Chief Medical Examiner Steven Campman issued a letter that stated, 'After reviewing the totality of the evidence, the conclusion of this office has not changed.' With her new book, Zahau-Loehner is hoping readers will get to really know Rebecca from their childhood in Burma to her final days here in San Diego. 'She's a daughter, she's an aunt, she's a sister and she is loved by her family, her friends and I think people forget that,' Zahau-Loehner said. In a cruel twist of fate, Zahau-Loehner is battling non-smoker's lung cancer. She raced to finish the book in her late sister's honor before her own life ends. More FOX 5 coverage of Rebecca Zahau 'I don't know what God's timeline is and I don't know if I'll get to see justice on this earth while I'm still alive, but I would love to do so,' Zahau-Loehner said. Zahau-Loehner also has an inspiring thought for those who have followed Rebecca's story: 'Don't give up when you know the truth. No matter how hard it is you always have to fight for the truth and you always have to fight for justice.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
21-02-2025
- USA Today
Suspect identified in fatal stabbing of Cal Fire captain
Suspect identified in fatal stabbing of Cal Fire captain The San Diego Sheriff's Office says it has identified a suspect in the fatal stabbing of a Cal Fire captain who was found Monday in her San Diego-area home. Rebecca Marodi was found Monday night by deputies responding to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon. The 49-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. On Thursday, the sheriff's office identified the suspect as Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olejniczak, 53. Her whereabouts are unknown, the sheriff's office said, and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact the authorities. In a statement Tuesday, the Sheriff's Office said they believed that Marodi knew her assailant and are treating the case as a potential domestic violence incident. Rebecca Marodi was a 32-year fire service veteran, starting as a volunteer in 1993 and working in San Bernardino and Riverside. In 2007 she became a fire apparatus engineer and was promoted by Cal Fire to captain in 2022. "Her passing is a profound loss to her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside her," Cal Fire said. "We extend our deepest condolences to Captain Marodi's loved ones and stand together in remembrance of her extraordinary life and service."
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Manhunt underway after wife named as suspect in SoCal fire captain's brutal stabbing death
A manhunt is underway as authorities are urgently searching for the wife of a Southern California fire captain who was found stabbed to death inside her home. On Thursday, the San Diego Sheriff's Office announced that 53-year-old Yolanda Marodi was wanted in connection to the brutal murder of her wife, Cal Fire captain Rebecca "Beck" Marodi. 'In a significant development, Sheriff's Homicide detectives have identified a suspect in this case. The suspect is Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olenjniczak," the sheriff's office said. The gruesome discovery happened in the evening hours of Feb. 17 when deputies were called to the Marodis' home for a report of an assault with a deadly weapon. Police Hunt For 'Male Companion' Seen Fleeing Slain College Student's Apartment Deputies found Rebecca Marodi with multiple stab wounds, and despite life-saving measures, officials said she was pronounced dead on the scene. Read On The Fox News App The medical examiner's office conducted an autopsy and determined the manner of death as homicide. Officials initially said that they were treating the case as a possible domestic violence incident and indicated that the captain may have known the suspect. Yolanda Marodi is described as 5'2" tall, weighing 166 lbs, with brown hair, according to officials. Police said a motive for the murder has yet to be determined. "Currently, the motivation and circumstances surrounding the homicide remain unclear, and detectives are diligently gathering more information to establish the facts of the case," the sheriff's office said. Utah Mom Accused Of Killing National Guard Husband Enters Plea As Police Search For Body Yolanda Marodi was previously charged with murder in 2000 in San Bernardino County for allegedly stabbing a man to death, according to local station CBS8. She later pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 13 years and eight months in prison, according to the station. She was in jail from February 2004 to November 2013. Rebecca Marodi served more than 30 years with Cal Fire, mainly in Riverside County, starting as a volunteer in Moreno Valley. Most recently, officials confirmed she helped battle the Eaton Fire. "The tragic loss of Captain Marodi is mourned by her family, friends, and her CAL FIRE family," Cal Fire wrote in a post on X. CAL Fire Riverside also acknowledged Marodi's death and said her passing is a "profound loss." "Her legacy of mentorship, service, and dedication will be felt for years to come. Her passing is a profound loss to her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside her," the department wrote in a statement on their Facebook page. Texas Teen Charged With Murder Released After Bond Reduced From $800K To $100 Per Charge: 'This Is Outrageous' According to social media posts, Rebecca and Yolanda Marodi appeared to have been together since 2022. "No special occasion is ever needed, to express my love for my amazing wife. I'm so lucky to have married someone that loves me for ME. She truly helps me be a better me, and my life has never been better since she's been in it. So glad I gave love another chance," Yolanda Marodi shared in a 2023 Instagram post. "I love you my beautiful wife," Rebecca Marodi commented on the post. Officials said that Rebecca Marodi was planning to retire later this year. Fox News Digital's Julia Bonavita contributed to this report. Original article source: Manhunt underway after wife named as suspect in SoCal fire captain's brutal stabbing death
