LOS ANGELES (TCD) — Prosecutors formally charged a 35-year-old man with three counts of murder this week in connection with the disappearance and likely deaths of his wife and in-laws just days after a man discovered a human torso inside a dumpster.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced the charges Monday, Nov. 13, alleging Samuel Haskell killed his wife, Mei Haskell, her mother, Yanxiang Wang, and father, Gaoshan Li. The three victims, who all lived together at a home in Tarzana, were reportedly last seen Nov. 6.
On Nov. 7, Samuel Haskell allegedly hired day laborers to move heavy trash bags from his residence. One of the workers reportedly opened a bag and discovered apparent human body parts, so they called police. Later that day, surveillance footage reportedly showed Haskell dumping a large bag into a dumpster on the 16000 block of Ventura Boulevard. The next day, someone looking through the dumpster reportedly opened the trash bag and discovered the torso.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, investigators went to Haskell’s home on the 4100 block of Coldstream Terrace and arrested him Nov. 8. Mei Haskell and Samuel Haskell reportedly have three children, who are now in a family member’s care. Mei Haskell and her parents are still considered missing.
Haskell is currently being held in a Los Angeles County jail without bail.
If convicted, Haskell could face up to life in prison without parole.
District Attorney George Gascón said in the news release, “These shocking and gruesome crimes have sent shockwaves through our community. We stand with the victims’ loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time and will do everything in our power to ensure justice is served.”
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