() An urgent search is underway for the wife of a California fire captain who was found stabbed to death inside her San Diego County home.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of 54-year-old Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olejniczak, the estranged wife of Capt. Rebecca Marodi.

Yolanda Marodi is described as 5 foot, 2 inches tall, weighing 166 pounds with brown hair. Authorities believe she fled to Mexico, driving a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox with California license plate “8BQJ420,” possibly traveling with a small white dog.

Investigators have not released a motive, but public court records suggest the couple may have had financial issues, local affiliate KSWB-TV reported.

Cal Fire captain found stabbed to death

On Tuesday, Rebecca Marodi, 49, was found at her Ramona home with multiple stab wounds. Despite lifesaving measures, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

She served more than 30 years with Cal FIRE in Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties and was promoted to fire captain in 2022.

A friend and colleague told KSWB that the couple had been married for about two years but had recently separated.

Suspect previously pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter

Records show that Yolanda Marodi pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the early 2000s in San Bernardino County for the stabbing death of her estranged husband, James Olejniczak. She was sentenced to 13 years and eight months in prison and was released in November 2013. Court documents also show that she and Olejniczak had children together and had filed for divorce in Vista.

Yolanda Marodi had worked as a receptionist at a local physical therapy office. In addition to manslaughter, she was convicted of possession of drugs or alcohol while in jail.

Investigators urge the public to stay away from Yolanda Marodi and contact law enforcement immediately if seen. 

Anyone with information about Yolanda Marodi’s whereabouts is urged to call 911 or the San Diego County Sheriff’s Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330 or after hours at (858) 868-3200. Anonymous tips can be reported to Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

‘s Jordan Perkins and affiliate KSWB contributed to this report.