On Monday, in Los Angeles, Sam Haskell IV, the heir of Hollywood, was charged with three counts of murder for the disappearance of his wife, who was also the mother of his three children, as well as her parents.
Haskell was apprehended by the police on Thursday following the discovery of the headless torso of a woman inside a garbage bag in a dumpster located a few miles from their family home. Both of Mei Haskell’s parents had been living with them after immigrating from China.
The recovered remains are believed to belong to Mei Haskell, aged 37, while the whereabouts of her parents, Goashan Li, 72, and Yanxiang Wang, 64, remain unknown.
Sam Haskell, aged 35, the son of a movie producer and a former beauty queen actress, is facing three counts of murder, two of which were committed simultaneously, according to the criminal complaint.
In court on Monday, Haskell mainly remained silent as the judge prohibited photography of his face. He appeared with long hair, shackles, and a suicide prevention vest, displaying a scowl and responding with a single “Yes” when asked if he understood the proceedings.
Supporters of Mei Li Haskell displayed signs reading “We Miss Mei” and “Justice for Mei Today!” during the hearing, with some in the audience audibly expressing their grief. The judge ordered Haskell to be held without bail until his next appearance, scheduled for December 8.
Haskell was arrested at a mall in Canoga Park on Thursday after a homeless man discovered the headless torso in a bank parking lot in Encino. On surveillance footage from the previous day, a slender man was seen struggling to dispose of something in a white SUV.
The police had visited Haskell’s home twice during the week. On the first visit, day laborers reported being asked to remove suspicious and heavy bags, but no evidence was found. During the second visit with a search warrant, LAPD Detective Efren Gutierrez confirmed the presence of blood and other evidence inside the residence.
District Attorney George Gascon issued a statement expressing solidarity with the victims’ loved ones and vowing to ensure that justice is served in these shocking and gruesome crimes.
Haskell’s parents, Hollywood producer Sam Haskell III and former beauty queen and actress Mary Donnelly Haskell are known for their Christmas movies and his father’s former role as a talent agent, representing celebrities like George Clooney and Dolly Parton.