By Karen Kucher
The San Diego Union-Tribun
ROMANA, Calif. — An off-duty Cal Fire captain was found fatally stabbed inside her Ramona home Monday evening, and sheriff’s detectives are investigating the homicide as a possible domestic violence case, officials said.
Deputies responded to a call of an assault with a deadly weapon shortly before 9 p.m. at a home on Rancho Villa Road near Quest Road, north of state Route 78. When they arrived, they found 49-year-old Rebecca Marodi suffering from multiple stab wounds, sheriff’s investigators said.
Deputies performed life-saving measures until CAL FIRE paramedics arrived. Despite their efforts, Marodi died before she could be taken to a hospital, sheriff’s Lt. Michael Krugh said in a statement.
Marodi worked as a captain at a CAL FIRE station in French Valley in Riverside County, according to a CAL FIRE spokesperson. Marodi was hired by CAL FIRE in 2005 and first promoted to captain in 2014, according to public records.
Krugh said a family member of the victim had reported the stabbing, which occurred at the victim’s home. He said detectives are working to contact “persons of interest” in the case.
“We suspect that the victim knew the suspect, and we are investigating this as a potential domestic violence case,” Krugh said.
Krugh said homicide detectives are gathering information and trying to determine the motives and circumstances behind the stabbing. No suspect information has been disclosed.
Anyone with information about the incident was asked to call the Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or after hours at 858-868-3200. Anyone wanting to share tips anonymously is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
©2025 The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Visit sandiegouniontribune.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
