A California man accused of killing his wife and parents-in-law in November pleaded not guilty to their slayings on Friday.
Samuel Haskell IV, 35, is accused of killing and dismembering his wife, Mei Haskell, 37, and her parents, Yanxiang Wang, 64, and Gaoshan Li, 72, who were last seen on November 6. In early November, a homeless man discovered Mei Haskell’s headless torso in a trash bin at a strip mall in Encino, according to KTTV.
The family lived in Tarzana with Samuel and Mei’s three young children. Not only was Samuel Haskell allegedly filmed throwing out a bag containing body parts into an Encino dumpster, he was also accused of hiring a few day laborers to take several heavy black bags from his home, according to KTTV.
READ: Workers Carry Trash Bags at Home of Hollywood Exec’s Son Suspected of Murdering, Dismembering Wife
The news outlet reported that one of the laborers called 911, claiming they opened a bag and saw body parts. Detectives said they found evidence of a murder and possible dismemberment at the Tarzana home.
While the partial torso was identified as Mei Haskell, additional body parts have not been recovered. Her cause of death is listed as “deferred.”
Samuel Haskell IV is the son of Sam Haskell, a former Hollywood agent who is the current president of Magnolia Hill Productions. KNBC reported that the couple’s three children were placed in protective custody.
During Friday’s hearing, Samuel Haskell was seen wearing an anti-suicide smock which fell off and left him shirtless. He is due back in court on February 16.
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[Featured image: Samuel Haskell IV/KNBC]
