CAMERON PARK, Calif. — A former captain with the Cal Fire was sentenced Monday to two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole for the 2025 murders of his fiancée and her young son, bringing a measure of closure to a case that shocked El Dorado County.
Darin Blake McFarlin, 49, received the sentence April 13 from El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Mark A. Ralphs after pleading guilty last month to two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances. The convictions stem from the Aug. 21, 2025, killings of 29-year-old Marissa Herzog and her 7-year-old son, Josiah “JoJo” Divodi-Lessa at their home on Oakwood Road in Cameron Park.
Timeline of Violence
According to prosecutors and sheriff’s reports, deputies with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office responded to the residence around 9 p.m. after reports of a shooting. Herzog was found dead at the scene, while her son was transported to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Investigators said the violence began during an argument between McFarlin and Herzog in a bedroom. Authorities allege McFarlin became enraged while watching the film Fireproof, which depicts a firefighter navigating marital struggles.
Prosecutors stated McFarlin initially attempted to strangle Herzog. When she fled and attempted to call for help, he followed her into the dining room and shot her in the head. He then turned the gun on Josiah, fatally shooting the child as he stood nearby with his older sister.
The couple’s 9-year-old daughter witnessed the killings. Authorities said McFarlin pointed the weapon at her and threatened her before ordering her to flee through a doggy door. The child escaped and alerted a neighbor, ultimately leading to the law enforcement response.
Arrest and Charges
Following the shooting, McFarlin fled El Dorado County and was apprehended shortly after midnight on Aug. 22, 2025, in Mono County near Bridgeport.
He later pleaded guilty on March 13, 2026, to two counts of first-degree murder, as well as attempted murder, domestic violence, and child abuse related to the surviving daughter. Prosecutors cited special circumstances including premeditation and killing to prevent a witness from testifying.
McFarlin, who had served with Cal Fire since 2000 in the Amador-El Dorado Unit, was terminated following his arrest.
Courtroom Impact
The sentencing hearing drew a packed courtroom, with family members wearing purple ribbons to raise awareness about domestic violence. The emotional toll of the crime was underscored in a statement from Herzog’s daughter.
“Things that were happy don’t feel the same without them,”
the statement read, according to reporting from the Mountain Democrat.
Judge Ralphs ordered McFarlin to serve two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, ensuring he will remain in state custody for the rest of his life.
Community Reflection
The case has reverberated across El Dorado County, not only because of its brutality but also due to McFarlin’s former role as a public safety official. Local advocates say the tragedy highlights the often-hidden dangers of domestic violence, even within households connected to trusted institutions.
