A Los Angeles County man faces a potential life sentence after being charged with murdering his wife and setting fire to his home earlier this year to cover up the crime.
Yun Rai, 62, has been formally charged with felony murder and arson felony due to the flames on January 6th.
Rye has been accused of murdering 56-year-old Dr. Irene Gaw-Lai and trying to burn a San Marino home to hide the nature of her death.
San Marino scene where Dr. Irene Golei was found dead in her burning house on January 6, 2025 (KTLA)
Gaw-Lai, who also used the Gonzalo surname, was a respected endocrinologist who filed for divorce from her husband a few months ago, according to the Los Angeles Times. She reportedly tried to file for divorce more than 20 years ago.
Her body was found in the back room of a burned house on the block of Lorraine Road in 2000. She had apparently suffered a traumatic injury to her upper body.
Dr. Irene Gaw-Lai (Gonzalo) can be seen in this outdated courtesy photograph.
After months of investigation, Yoon Rai was identified as an interested person and was later arrested in connection with his wife’s death.
On Tuesday, he appeared in downtown Los Angeles to be formally charged with her murder.
“The violent death of Dr. Irene Go Ray is heartbreaking and deeply disturbing,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a news release. “She was not only a respected doctor and business leader, but also a mother who deserved safety and dignity in her own home.”
Yoon Lai’s bail is set at $2.35 million. He is scheduled to return to court on August 12th.
An investigation into Gonzalo’s death is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office or the DA’s office.
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