Rebecca Marodi, a beloved Cal Fire captain, was recently fatally stabbed in her Romana home near San Diego on Monday. Marodi, 49, had served within the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) and was cherished by her colleagues. Authorities are reportedly investigating the attack as a homicide.
According to reports, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department received reports around 9:00 p.m. on Monday of an assault with a deadly weapon. Upon arriving on scene, authorities discovered Marodi, who had received multiple stab wounds, and pronounced her dead at the scene.
SDSO Lt. Michael Krugh extended his condolences in a statement. “Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of the victim during this difficult time,” he said. “We assure the public that we are using all available resources to thoroughly investigate and seek justice in this case.”
However, no suspect has been identified, and no information has been revealed about the suspect at the time of this article. Neighbors of Marodi, described the captain as a friendly individual who did not incite trouble. “They’d be mowing, they’d be doing wood, gardening … you know the usual stuff,” one person said. “Never saw any problems.”
Cal Fire posted about Marodi’s death on Facebook, writing, “It is with great sadness that CAL FIRE reports the off-duty death of Fire Captain Rebecca “Becky” Marodi. Captain Marodi served over 30 years with CAL FIRE, primarily in Riverside County, but also serving time in San Bernardino and San Diego Counties. The tragic loss of Captain Marodi is mourned by her family, friends, and her CAL FIRE family.”
The San Diego Sheriff’s Department released a statement on the homicide. “The San Diego Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide that occurred on the evening of February 17, 2025, in the 20200 block of Rancho Villa Rd. At approximately 8:58 p.m., deputies from the Ramona Substation responded to a radio call regarding an assault with a deadly weapon at a residence in the area,” it read.
The press release continued, “Upon arrival, deputies found 49-year-old Rebecca Marodi inside her home with multiple stab wounds. Life-saving measures were administered by the deputies until Cal Fire paramedics arrived. Despite their efforts, Marodi succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
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“The Sheriff’s Homicide Unit has assumed responsibility for the investigation. Homicide detectives are actively working to contact persons of interest, identify a suspect, and locate and apprehend them as quickly as possible,” the statement said, noting the ongoing investigative efforts.
Authorities suspect the perpetrator may have personally known Marodi, having implications toward a possible motive. “Investigators suspect that the victim knew the perpetrator and are treating this case as a potential domestic violence incident. 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.
Cal Fire Riverside said in a statement on Tuesday, “Her passing is a profound loss to her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside her. Beyond her operational assignments, Captain Marodi was deeply involved in peer support and Hazmat, always prioritizing the well-being of her colleagues. Her legacy of mentorship, service and dedication will be felt for years to come.”