Hollywood executive's son accused of dismembering wife and in-laws dies in apparent suicide in prison
Warning: This article contains mentions of suicide.
The son of a Hollywood executive, who is accused of murdering and dismembering his wife and in-laws, died in an apparent suicide in jail days before his preliminary hearing.
NBC Los Angeles reported that Sam Haskell IV had been charged with three counts of murder, in connection with the November 2023 deaths of his wife, Mei Haskell, 37, and the latter's parents, Yanxiang Wang, 64, and Gaoshan Li, 72.
Haskell and Mei had three children together.
He was scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in his murder case this week, but was found dead in the morning of Saturday, July 12.
Haskell reportedly left a note, and at the time of his death was under "moderate monitoring."
Prosecutor Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman told a judge on Monday, July 14, that she had expected Haskell to plead guilty this week, rather than face the preliminary hearing and subsequent trial.
“Instead of standing before a judge and answering for the crimes he’s been charged with, the defendant managed to escape justice,” LA County DA Nathan Hochman said in a statement. "This is one last cruel act by someone who did the most horrific things for reasons we will never entirely know."
Haskell's lawyer, Joseph Weimortz Jr., said Haskell was fearful of more negative publicity, which could affect his children, but not prison.
"In order to avoid more media exposure, he was willing to waive his right to a preliminary hearing. In order to avoid more media exposure, he was willing to waive his right to a jury trial. In order to avoid more media exposure, he was willing to plead," Weimortz is quoted as saying. "My client’s acts were not acts of cowardice or lunacy. Ultimately, my client was even willing to take his own life, believing that it would end this terrible chaos."
According to prosecutors, if the preliminary hearing continued, they would have presented a summary of evidence that showed Haskell committing his alleged crimes.
On Nov. 7, 2023, day laborers reported to police that Haskell had tried to hire them to dispose of black plastic trash bags. Upon checking the contents, they appeared to contain human remains.
Mei's remains were discovered the following day, though her parents' remains were never located. Blood found in a car used by Haskell, however, matched Li's genetic profile.
Detectives said they found Haskell's wallet containing a receipt for plywood, a canopy, a moisture barrier, coveralls, and saw blades, and located a loaded gun, a bloody knife, and passports in his rental car.
According to the District Attorney's office, DNA analysis of blood on the military knife matched all three victims. Blood stains on the firearm matched the genetic profiles of Mei and Li.
Haskell had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was in custody without bail pending trial.
If he were convicted, he would be sentenced to life without parole.
If you think you, your friend, or your family member is considering self-harm or suicide, you may call the National Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 1553 (Luzon-wide, landline toll-free), 09178998727 for Globe/TM users, or 09190571553 for Smart users.
