A California fire captain has been charged with the cold-blooded murders of his girlfriend and her young son to allegedly “prevent testimony” for another crime they witnessed him commit.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Capt. Darin McFarlin is accused of killing 29-year-old Marissa Divodi-Lessa and her son, Josiah, inside a home in Cameron Park — just east of Sacramento — on Aug. 21, at around 9 p.m., the department said in a press release.
When El Dorado County Sheriff’s arrived at the home, they discovered Divodi-Lessa and her child suffering from gunshot wounds. Another child was also found safe in the house, police said.
Divodi-Lessa was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her son, a second grader at Blue Oak Elementary School, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Investigators quickly pegged McFarlin as the suspected killer and arrested him shortly after midnight on Aug. 22, authorities said.
McFarlin, 47, was charged with two counts of murder and one count each of attempted murder, child abuse, and domestic violence, and was booked into the El Dorado County Jail without bond.
Authorities said McFarlin and Divodi-Lessa were in “a domestic relationship” — with family members confirming they were boyfriend and girlfriend, KCRA reported.
El Dorado County prosecutors alleged Monday that McFarlin “intentionally killed” the mother and son as chilling details into the deaths surfaced, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Law & Crime.
The pair were allegedly witnesses “to a crime” committed by the Cal Fire captain and he gunned them down to “prevent testimony.”
The complaint does not specify the crime that was witnessed.
Prosecutors also claim McFarlin “inflicted corporal injury” on Divodi-Lessa in their bedroom, then grabbed a gun and killed her in the dining room after she tried to use her phone.
He also allegedly tried to kill the second child, who was found alive in the home, prosecutors say.
The Post has reached out to the El Dorado County prosecutors’ office for comment.
The alleged killer made his initial court appearance at the El Dorado County Superior Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty on all counts, KCRA 3 reported.
Cal Fire Director Joe Tyler told the outlet Wednesday that McFarlin was off duty when he was arrested and has since been placed on unpaid administrative leave.
“My deepest sympathies are with the family, loved ones and community of the victims during this extremely difficult time,” Tyler said, adding he was “heartbroken” by the double murder.
“I too am heartbroken and shocked by this tragic event. This incident continues to have a profound impact on our personnel in the Amador — El Dorado Unit and beyond.”
Loved ones described Marissa Divodi-Lessa as “a light, full of love and life,” who leaves behind a daughter, Serafina.
“She always made me laugh. She would always tuck in at night and we would always tell each other, ‘I love you.’ ‘I love you more.’ ‘I love you most,’” the grieving daughter and sister wrote on the GoFundMe page set up to raise money for legal expenses.
She also shared her brother — whom she called ‘Jojo’ — was a “sweet boy” who suffered from “some health issues,” but her mother was always on top of caring for him.
If convicted on the murder charges, McFarlin could face the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 29.
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