A former California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection captain has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole for what prosecutors described as the calculated execution of his girlfriend and her 7-year-old son.
Darin Blake McFarlin, 47, received the sentence on Monday, April 13, 2026, following his guilty plea to the August 2025 killings in Cameron Park.
Legal documents filed by the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office reveal that the charges against McFarlin included special allegations that the murders were willful, deliberate, and premeditated.
The criminal complaint specifically alleged that Marissa Herzog (also identified as Marissa Divodi-Lessa) and her son, Josiah “JoJo” Divodi-Lessa, were intentionally killed because they were witnesses to McFarlin’s crimes.
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The violence broke out on August 21, 2025, at a home on Oakwood Road. Investigators say the day began with the family watching the movie Fireproof. Tensions peaked when McFarlin reportedly grew angry over the film’s subject matter and left the room.
Court records state the situation escalated in a bedroom, where McFarlin was charged with inflicting corporal injury on Marissa by attempting to strangle her.
Marissa fled to the family room and called her father to report that McFarlin had a gun. According to the investigation, McFarlin retrieved a firearm from a safe and confronted her while she was still on the phone.
When Marissa asked if he intended to shoot her, he replied “yes” before ending the call. He then struck her with the weapon and shot her in the head.
The complaint details that the children witnessed the attack on their mother. McFarlin then shot 7-year-old Josiah in the chest.
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A third victim, Marissa’s young daughter, was also targeted; the prosecution filed a charge of attempted murder regarding the girl, alleging McFarlin pointed the gun at her before ultimately ordering her to leave through a doggy door. She remained hidden outside until authorities arrived.
McFarlin, who had been with Cal Fire since 2000, fled the scene but was apprehended the following day in Mono County. He was subsequently terminated from his position.
During the sentencing, the court heard a letter from the surviving daughter, which described the “unjustifiable mental suffering” cited in the original felony child abuse charges.
McFarlin, who pleaded guilty on March 18, 2026, to the murders and the attempted murder of the daughter, apologized in court and acknowledged he would be held accountable for the deaths. The judge’s order of consecutive life sentences ensures McFarlin will die in prison.
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