Left: Darin McFarlin (El Dorado Sheriff’s Office via KCRA). Right: Marissa Divodi-Lessa and Josiah Divodi-Lessa (GoFundMe).
A former fire captain from California, aged 47, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the tragic murder of his fiancée and her 7-year-old son. The fatal incident was triggered by an argument over a firefighter’s portrayal in a movie they were watching.
On Monday, El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Mark A. Ralphs sentenced Darin McFarlin to two consecutive life terms without parole. Additionally, he received another life sentence, 50 years to life, and a further 15 years for the murders of 29-year-old Marissa Divodi-Lessa and her young son, Josiah Divodi-Lessa, which occurred in August 2025, according to officials.
Previously, in March, McFarlin admitted guilt to several charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and child abuse, as reported by Law&Crime.
The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office stated in a release that Judge Ralphs delivered the sentence in a courtroom filled with people. The emotional proceedings featured seven impactful victim impact statements, including a poignant letter from Divodi-Lessa’s 9-year-old surviving child, and a moving slideshow tribute to the victims.
Prosecutors revealed that McFarlin, a captain with Cal Fire who was deeply concerned with his public image, perpetrated the murders at the family home following a heated argument that spiraled into violence.
As per the district attorney’s release, this tragic event took place on August 21, 2025.
“The family sat down together to watch a movie about a distinguished, well-respected firefighter who was struggling in his personal life,” the release states. “McFarlin became angry at the portrayal and stormed off to his room. When Divodi-Lessa followed him, an argument took place. McFarlin then strangled her.”
Chief Assistant District Attorney Lisette Suder said the family was watching the faith-based drama movie “Fireproof,” The Sacramento Bee reported. The first half of the film negatively portrays the protagonist, a firefighter, as being selfish in his marriage. The couple was reportedly arguing because McFarlin demanded that Divodi-Lessa acknowledge that the wife in the movie was the one at fault, not the firefighter.
Divodi-Lessa was able to break away and flee the bedroom, telling McFarlin she was going to call the police to report the domestic violence.
“Knowing his career would be over if the incident were reported, McFarlin retrieved a loaded firearm and followed her into the dining area, where he found her on the phone with a family member,” the release continued. “He struck her over the head with the firearm, checked the phone, and then shot her in the head, while her 7-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter were in the room. He then turned the gun on the young boy and fired, killing him.”
The 9-year-old “begged for her life” as McFarlin pointed the weapon at her, but she managed to escape his line of sight and flee through a dog door.
McFarlin fled the scene after placing his phone in airplane mode and was later arrested in Nevada.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Lisette Suder told the court that McFarlin was not a hero despite his profession, emphasizing instead the first responders and investigators who brought the case to justice. District Attorney Vern Pierson called the killings “a horrific and senseless act of violence” that forever changed the victims’ family.
According to court documents cited in that prior coverage, prosecutors alleged McFarlin killed both victims “to prevent testimony,” as they were witnesses to an earlier incident inside the home. Authorities have not publicly detailed what prompted that allegation.
Investigators said deputies responded to the home around 9 p.m. on the night of the shooting and found both victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Divodi-Lessa was pronounced dead at the scene, while her son was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
McFarlin was identified as a suspect and taken into custody hours later.
At the time of the killings, McFarlin was working as a fire captain with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and was part of a broader firefighting response to a nearby wildfire.
Prosecutors said the sentence ensures McFarlin will never again have the opportunity to harm anyone, while acknowledging the lasting impact on the surviving child and the victims’ loved ones.
