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The case of Mei Li Haskell, daughter of Yanxiang Wang and Gaoshan Li, received media attention following the discovery of Mei's dismembered torso. Mei, 37, was reported missing alongside her parents, who have yet to be found.
Her husband, Samuel Bond Haskell IV, had been arrested and charged with their murders.
Death by Fame, a documentary series on true crime, covered the case of Mei Li Haskell and her family. The show's third season premiered on January 13, 2025, on ID. New episodes of the series airs every Monday at 9 pm ET/PT.
Background of the case
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Mei Li Haskell was reportedly last seen on November 6, 2023, according to the LA Times. On November 8, 2023, a torso was discovered in the dumpster, later to be confirmed as Mei's severed body part by the police.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner concluded that she had been decapitated with a sharp object, although it was not possible to know what occurred during her death.
According to CNN, on the day the torso was found, Samuel Haskell was arrested and held in jail without posting bail. According to reports, he had been charged with three counts of murder for Mei and her parents. The investigating officers found bloodstain and several other pieces of evidence in the house.
The Victims: Mei Li Haskell and her parents
According to CNN, Mei Li Haskell was a mother of three young boys. Her friends described her as kind and sociable, often hosting gatherings at her home. According to ABC7, Mei's parents, Yanxiang Wang, 64, and Gaoshan Li, 72, were also reported missing.
According to myNews, family members expressed concern for their well-being when they could not reach them. The search for their remains continues to the present as investigations are ongoing to piece together what had happened during that day.
According to LA Times, the reports suggested that there had been monetary tensions in the family. Relatives claimed that Mei was mostly responsible for paying their mortgage and that her husband did not provide any financial input during critical moments.
Legal proceedings against Samuel Haskell
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, charges of multiple counts of murder had been brought against Samuel Haskell IV due to the nature of the crimes committed against his wife and in-laws.
Prosecutors stated that these crimes had shocked the community and emphasized their commitment to seeking justice for the victims. In arraignment, Haskell pleaded not guilty to all the charges. If convicted, he would be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
For the process of prosecution, focus has primarily been on establishing a clear motive and timeline leading up to the murders. This ongoing process has also been examining any potential evidence linking Haskell directly to the crime scene.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, the investigation exposed some details about how Haskell allegedly tried to dispose of evidence by hiring laborers to remove trash bags from his property a few days after his family disappeared. This behavior had caused suspicion about his involvement in their deaths.
While investigators continue their search for answers regarding the disappearance of Yanxiang Wang and Gaoshan Li, Samuel Haskell is facing legal action as he answers charges regarding the crime. Stay tuned for more updates.
