Human remains found in a California dumpster last month have been positively identified as the missing wife of former Hollywood executive’s son, who has been charged with her murder.
Samuel Haskell IV, 35, has also been charged with killing Mei Li Haskell’s parents, 72-year-old Gaoshan Li and 64-year-old Yanxiang Wang, who are still missing, as CrimeOnline reported.
Haskell and his 37-year-old wife lived in Tarzana with her parents and their three young children. The investigation began on November 7, when Haskell hired four day-laborers to haul away “several heavy black plastic bags” from his home.
“One of the laborers opened one of the bags and allegedly observed human body parts,” the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said. They called 911 and reported the incident.”
The laborers returned the bags to Haskell’s home and gave him back his money, but by the time deputies arrive, the bags and Haskell were gone. Later that day, he was caught on surveillance video in Encino, where he dumped a heavy bag into dumpster. That bag was later discovered to contain a human torso, which has been identified as Mei Li Haskell.
Numerous media reports said the remains were positively identified at the time they were discovered, but that was never true. The medical examiner made the ruling on Monday.
Haskell remains behind bars without bond, but his arraignment has been postponed twice. It is now scheduled for January 12, 2024, KABC reported.
Haskell’s father, Samuel Haskell III was a high-powered entertainment agent who represented such illuminaries as Dolly Parton, George Clooney, and Ray Romano during his storied career at the William Morris agency.
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[Featured image: Mei Li Haskell/KTLA video screengrab]
