Who is Mei Haskell? Samuel Haskell's wife's friend left distraught as California woman and her parents remain missing
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The torso of a woman discovered in a dumpster in Encino on November 8 is believed to be of Mei Haskell, 37, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Her husband Samuel Bond Haskell IV, 35, was arrested as a suspect in her death on November 8, 2023.
He has been charged with one count of murder.
Mei lived in a six-bedroom Tarzana home with her husband, their three children, and her parents, Gaoshan Li, 72, and YanXiang Wang, 64. Authorities have officially stated Mei missing, along with her parents.
Investigators have reportedly discovered blood and other evidence consistent with killing and dismemberment from the Haskell home.
Forensics are yet to confirm the identity of the discovered torso
LAPD Detective Efren Gutierrez told reporters on November 8 that Mei's parents could not be reached, reported Los Angeles Times.
“They would normally be home in these hours, and attempts have been made to contact them by phone, by cellphone, and no answer. And the same with Mei. She is unaccounted for,” Gutierrez said.
Police Captain Scot Williams of the Robbery-Homicide Division stated that the investigation is still underway as detectives are "tracking down leads and witnesses."
Samuel Bond Haskell IV is being held on $2 million bail
According to court records, he was arrested and charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon in December 2008. Samuel was placed on three years probation in 2010 after pleading no contest to battery.
The suspect is the son of Sam Haskell III, the former executive vice president and worldwide head of television for the William Morris Agency. The latter resigned as CEO of the Miss America organization after a 2017 email scandal.
Mei Haskell's friend is shaken after her disappearance
Speaking to KTLA, Mei Haskell’s next-door neighbor and close friend Elle Benami said, "Outwardly, (Mei and Samuel) didn’t seem to be very warm with each other or affectionate or have some great marriage but I did not know of there being any issues. But they’re very different in the sense that she was very outgoing, very social and he’s not. He’s more reserved, quiet.”
Benami mentioned that she last saw Mei as she was driving her children to school, a week before her disappearance.
"She was dedicated to her boys,” she said, adding “They were definitely her entire life.”
Following the gruesome discovery, the children have been removed from their respective schools and are staying with relatives.