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COURT documents revealed gruesome details into the death of a California doctor who was found dead in her house alongside a bloodied frying pan and a metal bat.
Now, police have now charged her husband with murder.
The woman, 56-year-old Irene Gaw-Lai, was found inside of a burning room in her home in January.
But her sons, whom she parented with her husband Yoon “Kevin” Lai, knew something was not right, according to court documents.
In the filings reviewed by the Los Angeles Times, the brothers suspected that their dad “had some involvement in the recent and untimely demise of their mother.”
Months after the killing, their father has been charged with murder and arson in an inhabited building.
He has pleaded not guilty and posted an over $2 million bail.
The affluent mother’s death shocked the community around them, with investigators finding a frying pan and a metal bat in the home with traces of blood on them, according to filings.
Documents revealed that behind closed doors, the wife, 56, had filed for a divorce in August and wanted a judge to nullify their prenup because she had discovered that multiple properties the two had owned were only under his name.
Gaw-Lai, an endocrinologist, and Lai, 62, a business owner, had been married for over 20 years.
Prior to the August filing, the pair had attempted to divorce just months after their wedding.
The LA Times reported that in court declarations, their two sons had found evidence of their father cheating through his phone at the time.
The two tried to reconcile, but Gaw-Lai had conditions: voiding their prenup, adding her name to the properties that did not include her, and that her husband get therapy, the report said.
After the prenup was revoked, she had told family members that she was fearful to be around him, documents show.
The husband had moved out of their home, but had stopped by to pick up their sons on the morning of Jan. 6.
Their house went ablaze that same day, as one room burned. Gaw-Lai was found with blunt force trauma to the head, according to the outlet.
Los Angeles County District Attorney statement
On July 8, the office released the following statement:
“A husband has been charged with murder and arson in connection with the death of his wife, whose body was found in their burning San Marino home in January.
“The violent death of Dr. Irene Gaw-Lai is heartbreaking and deeply disturbing,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “She was not only a respected physician and business leader, but a mother who deserved safety and dignity in her own home. We will not rest until the person responsible for this senseless tragedy is held fully accountable.”
Yoon Lai (dob 4/17/63) of San Marino has been charged with one felony count each of murder and arson of an inhabited structure. Lai pleaded not guilty during his arraignment today. His preliminary hearing setting has been scheduled for Aug. 12 in Department 36 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. His bail has been set in the amount of $2,250,000.
On Jan. 6 Lai is accused of killing his 56-year-old wife, Irene Gaw-Lai, and then attempting to cover up the crime by setting fire to their San Marino residence.
If convicted as charged, Lai faces life in state prison.
Case 25CJCF03936 is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Alex Bott of the Major Crimes Division and was investigated by the San Marino Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau.
The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.“
“Lai is accused of killing his 56-year-old wife, Irene Gaw-Lai, and then attempting to cover up the crime by setting fire to their San Marino residence,” the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office wrote in a statement.
The defense lawyer said that “more than likely we have an electrical fire,” and that Lai was cooperating with police, according to KNBC.
“The violent death of Dr. Irene Gaw-Lai is heartbreaking and deeply disturbing,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement.
“She was not only a respected physician and business leader, but a mother who deserved safety and dignity in her home.”
“We will not rest until the person responsible for this senseless tragedy is held fully accountable.”
Officials also said that he could potentially face life in prison if found guilty.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or chat at thehotline.org.
