Cal Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi Stabbed to Death in San Diego County Home

Image credits: Riverside County Fire Department Hazmat Team

A Cal Fire captain died Monday after she was stabbed multiple times in her San Diego County home, according to authorities. The San Diego County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday it's investigating the death of Rebecca "Becky" Marodi, 49, as a potential domestic violence incident. Deputies responded to a radio call just before 9 p.m. regarding an assault with a deadly weapon at a home in the 20200 block of Rancho Villa Road in Ramona, sheriff's officials said in a news release. Deputies found Marodi with multiple stab wounds and treated her until Cal Fire paramedics arrived. She was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators suspect Marodi knew the assailant, but the suspect hasn't been identified. "Homicide detectives are actively working to contact persons of interest, identify a suspect, and locate and apprehend them as quickly as possible," sheriff's officials said. A motive is unclear and no arrests have been made. Marodi served more than 30 years with Cal Fire, mainly in Riverside County, starting as a volunteer in Moreno Valley. The tragic loss of Captain Marodi is mourned by her family, friends, and her CAL FIRE family, with a procession held for her on Tuesday. Marodi was a seasoned firefighter who helped battle the deadly Eaton fire last month.

According to the sheriff’s department, deputies were dispatched to the residence on Rancho Villa Road around 8:58 p.m. upon receiving a radio call reporting an assault with a deadly weapon in the area. Once at the scene, deputies found the woman — later identified as Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi — suffering from multiple stab wounds. Life-saving measures were administered by Cal Fire paramedics, but authorities said she ultimately succumbed to the injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The sheriff’s Homicide Unit responded after Marodi died and took over the investigation. Detectives believe Marodi knew the suspect and they are investigating the off-duty death as a potential homicide incident.

Marodi, who served over 30 years with Cal Fire with Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties, was promoted to fire captain at Cal Fire Riverside’s Temecula station back in 2022. A neighbor of Marodi remembered her as a friendly face in the neighborhood. Cal Fire crews held a procession for Marodi as her body was transferred to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation is ongoing, with detectives gathering more information to establish the facts of the case. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is using all available resources to thoroughly investigate and seek justice in this case.

The timeline of events surrounding Marodi's death is as follows: * 8:58 p.m.: Deputies respond to a radio call reporting an assault with a deadly weapon at Marodi's residence * 9 p.m.: Deputies find Marodi with multiple stab wounds and treat her until Cal Fire paramedics arrive * Monday: Marodi is pronounced dead at the scene * Tuesday: A procession is held for Marodi, and the investigation continues. The case is still under investigation, with no arrests made yet. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department is urging anyone with information to come forward and contact the Homicide Unit.