Security cameras at an Encino strip mall in Los Angeles appear to show the moments when a man dropped off a large object in a dumpster where a homeless man later found a headless woman’s body. Sam Haskell IV, an heir to Hollywood, was charged with three counts of murder in Los Angeles on Monday. The charges are related to the disappearance of his wife, Mei Haskell, who was the mother to their three children, as well as her parents. Mei’s parents, Goashan Li, 72, and Yanxiang Wang, 64, are still missing.
Haskell was arrested last week after a homeless man discovered a woman’s headless torso in a garbage bag inside a dumpster near the family’s home. Mei Haskell, 37, is believed to be the victim. Sam Haskell’s TikTok account, which features snippets of himself talking about random issues and giving “shouts out” to celebrities, has emerged as a key piece of evidence in the case.
The 35-year-old Hollywood heir, whose parents are a movie producer and a beauty queen actress, appeared in court with his face shielded from the media. He was charged with three counts of murder, with an additional allegation of multiple murders committed together. During the hearing, friends of Mei Haskell held up signs demanding justice for her.
Police arrested Haskell at a mall in Canoga Park and later found surveillance videos showing him struggling to discard something in a dumpster at the Encino parking lot. Officers had previously visited Haskell’s home, following a report by day laborers who claimed they were asked to remove suspicious bags. However, no evidence was found during the first visit. A subsequent search with a warrant revealed blood and other evidence inside the residence.
Sam Haskell III, Haskell’s father, is a Hollywood producer known for a series of Christmas movies. He has also worked as a talent agent, representing A-list stars such as George Clooney and Dolly Parton.
The investigation into Mei Haskell’s disappearance and murder is ongoing. Haskell remains in custody without bail until his next court appearance on December 8.
