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A former California fire captain will spend the rest of his life in prison after he shot and killed his fiancée and her 7-year-old son following an argument over a movie.
Darin McFarlin, 47, murdered 29-year-old Marissa Divodi-Lessa Herzog and her son on August 21, 2025.
According to a press release from the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, McFarlin, Divodi-Lessa, and her two children were watching a movie centered on a firefighter when McFarlin reportedly became angry at its portrayal.
The movie was later identified as the 2008 Christian faith-based film Fireproof, in which Kirk Cameron plays a firefighter struggling with his marriage and personal life.
McFarlin then stormed off to his room. Divodi-Lessa followed him, and an argument ensued, during which McFarlin strangled her.
She managed to free herself and fled, saying she intended to file a domestic violence report.
“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 District Attorney’s Office said in the release.
Authorities said McFarlin then struck Divodi-Lessa on the head with the gun, checked her phone, and then shot her in the head.
Her 7-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter were also in the room.
He then turned the gun on the boy and shot and killed him.
He attempted to shoot the girl, who begged for mercy and managed to escape by running around a kitchen wall.
Unable to get a clear shot, McFarlin told her to leave through a dog door before putting his phone in airplane mode and fleeing the scene, police said.
He was arrested a few hours later, and the 9-year-old was found safe.
McFarlin was sentenced on April 13. He was ordered to serve two consecutive terms of life without the possibility of parole, along with an additional life term, 50 years to life, and 15 years.
