A California firefighter, Darin McFarlin, 47, is currently facing homicide charges in connection with the deaths of his 29-year-old girlfriend and her son, as reported by local authorities. McFarlin is accused of fatally shooting Marissa N. Divodi-Lessa and her son, Josiah Divodi-Lessa, in their home in Cameron Park, a community located approximately 30 miles east of Sacramento.
The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office stated that deputies were dispatched to a residence on Oakwood Road around 9 p.m. last Thursday following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered the two victims inside the home, both suffering from gunshot wounds. Divodi-Lessa was declared dead at the scene, while her son was transported to a nearby hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
McFarlin, who is employed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known as CalFire, was identified as a person of interest in the case. He was apprehended a few hours after the incident and charged with homicide. Local NBC affiliate KCRA reported that McFarlin serves as a fire captain for the Amador El Dorado unit of CalFire, an agency responsible for combating wildfires in the state. The agency confirmed to KCRA that it is closely monitoring the situation.
As of Sunday morning, over 1,000 of McFarlin’s colleagues were engaged in fighting a nearby wildfire, which was reported to be 37 percent contained. Meanwhile, the motive behind the tragic incident remains undisclosed. Authorities have yet to release a criminal complaint that would provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the homicides.
Divodi-Lessa is survived by a daughter, who shared a heartfelt message about her mother and younger brother, affectionately known as JoJo, on a GoFundMe page set up in their memory. The girl fondly remembered her mother’s loving nature and her brother’s playful spirit, highlighting their shared love for card games, movies, and spending quality time together.
The young boy, who was a second-grader at Blue Oak Elementary School, was remembered as a sweet child who loved playing games, particularly Hide-and-Seek. The girl also mentioned a special box they had made together, filled with toys as rewards for good behavior.
McFarlin is currently being held at the El Dorado County Jail without bond.