A California fireplace captain has been charged with the cold-blooded murders of his girlfriend and her younger son to allegedly “forestall testimony” for one more crime they witnessed him commit.
California Division of Forestry and Hearth Safety Capt. Darin McFarlin is accused of killing 29-year-old Marissa Divodi-Lessa and her son, Josiah, inside a house in Cameron Park — simply east of Sacramento — on Aug. 21, at round 9 p.m., the division mentioned in a press launch.
When El Dorado County Sheriff’s arrived on the house, they found Divodi-Lessa and her youngster affected by gunshot wounds. One other youngster was additionally discovered secure in the home, police mentioned.
Divodi-Lessa was pronounced useless on the scene.
Her son, a second grader at Blue Oak Elementary Faculty, was rushed to a close-by hospital, the place he was later pronounced useless.
Investigators shortly pegged McFarlin because the suspected killer and arrested him shortly after midnight on Aug. 22, authorities mentioned.
McFarlin, 47, was charged with two counts of homicide and one rely every of tried homicide, youngster abuse, and home violence, and was booked into the El Dorado County Jail with out bond.
Authorities mentioned McFarlin and Divodi-Lessa have been in “a home relationship” — with members of the family confirming they have been boyfriend and girlfriend, KCRA reported.
El Dorado County prosecutors alleged Monday that McFarlin “deliberately killed” the mom and son as chilling particulars into the deaths surfaced, in accordance with a legal grievance obtained by Legislation & Crime.
The pair have been allegedly witnesses “to a criminal offense” dedicated by the Cal Hearth captain and he gunned them all the way down to “forestall testimony.”
The grievance doesn’t specify the crime that was witnessed.
Prosecutors additionally declare McFarlin “inflicted corporal harm” on Divodi-Lessa of their bed room, then grabbed a gun and killed her within the eating room after she tried to make use of her cellphone.
He additionally allegedly tried to kill the second youngster, who was discovered alive within the house, prosecutors say.
The Put up has reached out to the El Dorado County prosecutors’ workplace for remark.
The alleged killer made his preliminary court docket look on the El Dorado County Superior Courtroom on Monday and pleaded not responsible on all counts, KCRA 3 reported.
Cal Hearth Director Joe Tyler instructed the outlet Wednesday that McFarlin was off responsibility when he was arrested and has since been positioned on unpaid administrative go away.
“My deepest sympathies are with the household, family members and neighborhood of the victims throughout this extraordinarily troublesome time,” Tyler mentioned, including he was “heartbroken” by the double homicide.
“I too am heartbroken and shocked by this tragic occasion. This incident continues to have a profound influence on our personnel within the Amador — El Dorado Unit and past.”
Family members described Marissa Divodi-Lessa as “a light-weight, full of affection and life,” who leaves behind a daughter, Serafina.
“She at all times made me chortle. She would at all times tuck in at night time and we might at all times inform one another, ‘I like you.’ ‘I like you extra.’ ‘I like you most,’” the grieving daughter and sister wrote on the GoFundMe web page set as much as increase cash for authorized bills.
She additionally shared her brother — whom she known as ‘Jojo’ — was a “candy boy” who suffered from “some well being points,” however her mom was at all times on prime of caring for him.
If convicted on the homicide expenses, McFarlin might face the demise penalty or life in jail with out parole.
His subsequent court docket look is scheduled for Sept. 29.
