In a shocking turn of events that has rocked a Los Angeles neighborhood, Samuel Haskell IV, 35, faces murder charges following the gruesome discovery of a woman’s torso in a local dumpster. Haskell, whose father is a renowned figure in the Hollywood entertainment industry, was apprehended just hours after a homeless individual stumbled upon the remains.
Samuel Haskell IV is the progeny of Samuel Haskell III, a former executive vice president at the esteemed William Morris Agency, known for representing a galaxy of stars including George Clooney, Dolly Parton, Whoopi Goldberg, and even British royalty, Prince Edward. The elder Haskell, who joined the agency in 1978, rose to prominence in Hollywood, later becoming the president of Magnolia Hill Productions.
The discovery of the torso, about five miles from Haskell IV’s Tarzana residence, has intensified the mystery surrounding the disappearance of his wife, Mei Haskell, 37, and her parents, Yanxiang Wang, 64, and Gaoshan Li, 72. While the elderly couple remains missing, law enforcement officials believe the torso belongs to Mei Haskell, pending DNA confirmation.
Los Angeles Police Department Detective Efren Gutierrez disclosed that evidence of a crime was found in the Haskell residence, including blood traces. A day prior to the finding, construction workers reported seeing suspicious bags near the property, aligning with the description of the bag containing the torso. This led to a second crime scene being established at Haskell’s home.
Samuel Haskell IV is not unfamiliar with legal troubles. In 2008, he was arrested on assault charges, eventually pleading no contest to battery in 2010. His father, Samuel Haskell III, known for his amiable reputation in Hollywood and former CEO of the Miss America organization, has not commented on the charges against his son.
Authorities have since removed the Haskell couple’s three children from school, entrusting them to the Department of Children and Family Services. Police and forensic teams continue to scour the Haskell residence for more evidence, marking a tragic chapter in a community usually distanced from such macabre events.
A neighbor, preferring anonymity, reflected on her relationship with Mei, expressing that something always seemed unsettling about Samuel Haskell IV. This incident leaves the community grappling with the unsettling proximity of a potential domestic tragedy intertwined with Hollywood’s glamour.