Prominent Endocrinologist’s Death in San Marino House Fire Leads to Arrest of Estranged Husband

A six-month investigation into a deadly house fire has led to the arrest of a 62-year-old man accused of murdering his estranged wife, a respected endocrinologist, whose body was found in their burned San Marino home earlier this year.

Yoon Lai, also known as Kevin Lai, was arrested Thursday morning at his San Gabriel residence on suspicion of killing Dr. Irene Gaw-Lai, 56, on Jan. 6. He is being held without bail pending a case presentation to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on July 8, authorities said.

Dr. Gaw-Lai, also known professionally as Dr. Irene Gaw Gonzalo, was found dead inside her burning home on the 2000 block of Lorain Road. Firefighters responded to the blaze around 9:45 a.m. and discovered her body with severe burns and upper body trauma. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Initially treated as an accidental fire, the case shifted to a homicide investigation the following day after a medical examination reportedly revealed suspicious injuries.

“There was trauma to her upper body,” said Lt. Steven De Jong of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The investigation involved coordination between the San Marino Police Department, the LASD Homicide Bureau, and arson investigators. Over six months, detectives executed 25 search warrants to gather evidence.

Dr. Gaw-Lai had filed for divorce from Lai in August 2024, according to court records. She was the founder and CEO of California Diabetes and Hormone Specialists, Inc. in Arcadia, and had more than three decades of experience as a licensed endocrinologist. Friends and neighbors described her as a well-liked physician and mother of twin 16-year-old sons.

On the morning of the fire, Lai reportedly took the couple’s sons to baseball practice and returned to find the house ablaze.

“When he returned to the location… he noticed the residence was on fire,” Lt. De Jong said at the time.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later ruled the cause of death as undetermined, citing the complexities of fire-related fatalities. Authorities say the case underscores the challenges of investigating deaths involving fire, requiring extensive forensic analysis and interagency collaboration.

Lai remains in custody as prosecutors prepare formal charges, which come as soon as Tuesday.