Samuel Bond Haskell IV, a 37-year-old inheritor to a Hollywood agent’s legacy, has died by suspected suicide in his cell, days earlier than a preliminary listening to in reference to the brutal murders and dismemberment of his spouse and in-laws.
Haskell was charged in November 2023 with the killings of his spouse, Mei Li Haskell, 37, her mom Yanxiang Wang, 64, and stepfather Gaoshan Li, 72, at their dwelling within the Tarzana neighbourhood of Los Angeles.
Prosecutors allege that the murders passed off on 6 November 2023, after which Haskell employed day‑labourers to take away black bin baggage from the property, considered one of which contained physique components.
A torso belonging to Mei was found in an Encino dumpster on 7 November 2023, sparking a serious prison investigation.
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Stays belonging to the 2 older victims have by no means been recovered, however police matched DNA from bloodstains on a gun, knife, and automobile inside a rented SUV to all three victims.
Awaiting Justice, As a substitute Comes Silence
Haskell had pleaded not responsible to 3 counts of murder and was going through life with out parole if convicted.
His preliminary courtroom look was set for 14 July 2025, however on 12 July, he died by suicide within the Twin Towers jail in downtown Los Angeles, as confirmed by Los Angeles County authorities.
DA Condemns ‘Escape from Justice’
District Lawyer Nathan Hochman stated: ‘As a substitute of standing earlier than a decide and answering for the crimes he is been charged with, the defendant managed to flee justice.’
‘That is one final merciless act by somebody who did probably the most horrific issues for causes we are going to by no means totally know. A household that has been coping with unimaginable loss has now been robbed of their likelihood to face him, maintain him accountable for his barbaric actions, and overtly share their grief and their cherished recollections of their family members.’
Painful Loss for All Concerned
Haskell was the son of Sam Haskell III, an Emmy-winning tv producer and former William Morris expertise agent.
His legal professional, Joseph Weimortz, told NBC Los Angeles that Haskell was ‘not afraid of jail, however was afraid of a good bigger media spectacle,’ fearing the affect a public trial would have on his three kids.
‘To keep away from extra media publicity, he was prepared to waive his proper to a preliminary listening to. To keep away from extra media publicity, he was prepared to waive his proper to a jury trial,’ Haskell’s legal professional continued.
‘In the end, my shopper was even prepared to take his personal life, believing that it could finish this horrible chaos.’ ‘The Haskell household grieves each single life misplaced on this case.’
Proof Mapped Out
Investigators recovered a .32-calibre revolver, a noticed, a machete, knives, bloody plywood, mattress linen and different incriminating gadgets—some discovered on the couple’s couch, others inside a rented automobile.
CCTV footage confirmed Haskell loading black bin baggage into an SUV and disposing of a bag in an Encino dumpster. DNA testing linked the blood on the weapon, instruments, automotive seat, and knife to the three victims.
Investigation Now in Limbo
Haskell’s dying has halted the prison proceedings. Authorities are actually left with forensic proof and video surveillance, however with out his testimony, resolving unanswered questions, together with the whereabouts of the 2 victims’ stays, will show far harder.
In the meantime, Los Angeles County jails proceed to face criticism, with 26 deaths recorded this 12 months, double the quantity throughout the identical interval final 12 months, and requires pressing assessment.
What Occurs Subsequent?
The Los Angeles County coroner will conduct a whole post-mortem earlier than finalising the reason for dying . The DA’s workplace says it nonetheless intends to deal with the case as unresolved and work to deliver some measure of closure to the survivors—his kids and in-laws—although civil litigation or investigations might proceed.
