Gregory Yee, a breaking news reporter for the Los Angeles Times, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 5, 2023, at the age of 33. His family said the cause appeared to be complications from a respiratory issue. He was found dead at his Hollywood bungalow where he lived.
A Passionate Journalist
Yee joined the LA Times in summer 2021 as a night reporter on the Metro staff. He was part of the Fast Break desk, the paper’s unit responsible for breaking news. He covered a variety of topics, including heat waves, wildfires, gun violence in Oakland, and controversy around robotic police dogs. He also followed the pursuit of famed LA mountain lion P-22, and the effort to save the Glendale Hyperion-Viaduct lampposts from thieves.
Before joining the LA Times, Yee worked as a crime reporter for the Long Beach Press-Telegram and as a criminal justice reporter for the Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina. He contributed to the coverage of the Rock Hill mass shooting involving former NFL player Phillip Adams. He had expressed his goal to work for the LA Times to sportswriter Sam Farmer, who was also in South Carolina for coverage. He was hired during the COVID pandemic.
“We did a nationwide search and he was far and away the best candidate we could get,” said B.J. Terhune, an assistant managing editor who oversaw his work. “He was truly passionate about breaking news. That really stood out when we were interviewing him.”
A Literary Journalist
Yee was born and raised in the LA area. He attended UC Irvine, where he was editor-in-chief of the student newspaper. He graduated college in 2012 with a double major in Spanish and literary journalism.
“He brought nerve, will, discipline and high ambition to every project he tackled,” Barry Siegel, who runs the school’s Literary Journalism program, told the LA Times. “It was clear to me that Greg would go on to achieve much in the field of journalism, carving out a very special career.”
Yee was fluent in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. He had a keen interest in literature, music, and history. He enjoyed reading novels by Gabriel García Márquez and Haruki Murakami, listening to jazz and classical music, and learning about ancient civilizations.
A Beloved Son and Brother
Yee is survived by his father Andrew, a retired pulmonologist, and his mother Mirta, a retired nurse, as well as his two sisters Halina and Emma Yee. His family described him as a loving son and brother who always cared for others.
“He was always there for us,” Halina Yee said. “He was always supportive and encouraging. He had a big heart.”
His family also said that he had a great sense of humor and a zest for life. He liked to travel, hike, bike, and explore new places. He had visited countries such as China, Japan, Mexico, Peru, and Spain.
“He was always curious about the world,” Emma Yee said. “He wanted to learn new things and experience different cultures. He was adventurous and fearless.”
His family plans to hold a memorial service for him in the near future.
