Fire Captain Jailed for Life After Killing Fiancée and Her 7-Year-Old Son Over Movie Argument

A California firefighter who shot his fiancée and her son dead during a disagreement over a movie has been sentenced to life in prison. Darin McFarlin, 47, received two consecutive life sentences without parole for the murders of Marissa Divodi-Lessa Herzog, 29, and Josiah “JoJo” Divodi-Lessa, 7.

On August 21, 2025, Herzog and McFarlin, who lived in Cameron Park, decided to watch the 2008 Christian-themed film Fireproof, which centers on a firefighter with a troubled marriage. However, the family viewing turned violent when McFarlin became upset with the portrayal of firefighters in the film and stormed out of the room.

The matter escalated when McFarlin had a heated argument with Herzog about the film in their bedroom. He apparently wanted her to accept that the firefighter’s wife was at fault for their troubled marriage in Fireproof. Soon, the argument turned physical as McFarlin tried to strangle Herzog.

The woman ran to the family room and told McFarlin that she was going to report the domestic violence incident to the police. But instead, she called her father and told him that her fiancé was after her life.

Meanwhile, McFarlin was worried that he would lose his job if he was reported. He grabbed a loaded gun and followed Herzog to the family room. Herzog asked him whether he was going to kill her, to which he replied, ‘Yes.’ On the other end of the call, Herzog’s father listened to the conversation helplessly.

McFarlin then struck her on the head with the weapon and later shot her. Herzog died at the scene. Meanwhile, her son Josiah and 9-year-old daughter Serafina watched their mother’s death in horror. McFarlin turned the gun towards Josiah and shot the innocent kid in the chest.

McFarlin then threatened to shoot Serafina, but the child begged for her life. McFarlin somehow let her escape through the dog door. He later took his belongings and flew the scene, but was arrested on a highway near Bridgeport the following day. He was also fired from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, where he had worked since 2000 and held the rank of captain.

McFarlin pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. During sentencing on April 13, family members read a letter written by Serafina, who was at school at the time of the hearing.

“Ever since Darin killed my mother and brother, JoJo, I have been really sad and in shock. I miss them every single day,” the child wrote.

In response, McFarlin apologized to the family and said, “I’m truly very sorry for what I did ... especially to Serafina. And I will be held accountable for this.”

Herzog’s mother, Joy Cavaghan, demanded death penalty for McFarlin and said, “[He] shot an innocent child in the chest and almost shot another. They didn’t stand a chance... He deserves nothing else but death.” However, El Dorado Superior Court Judge Mark Ralphs ultimately sentenced McFarlin to two consecutive terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole.