Samuel Bond Haskell IV, a 37-year-old man charged with the brutal murders of his wife and her parents, was found dead by suicide in his jail cell early Saturday morning, July 12, 2025, authorities confirmed. His death came just two days before he was due to appear for a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court, abruptly ending a harrowing case that has gripped the community since late 2023.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman publicly confirmed the grim news on Monday, July 14, stating, "Instead of standing before a judge and answering for the crimes he’s been charged with, the defendant managed to escape justice. This is one last cruel act by someone who did the most horrific things for reasons we will never entirely know." Hochman further lamented the impact on the victims’ family, saying, "A family that has been dealing with unimaginable loss now has been robbed of their chance to face him, hold him accountable for his barbaric actions, and openly share their grief and their cherished memories of their loved ones."
Haskell was discovered deceased in his cell at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles at approximately 4:20 a.m. on Saturday. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported that he left a note and was under "moderate monitoring" for potential self-harm risk at the time. Prior to his death, Haskell had appeared in court wearing an anti-suicide smock, underscoring the concerns about his mental state. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office is still determining the official cause of death, though the DA’s office has confirmed it was suicide.
The case first came to light in early November 2023 when a human torso was found in a dumpster behind a strip mall in Encino, California. The torso was later identified through DNA testing as belonging to Mei Li Haskell, Samuel Haskell’s 37-year-old wife. Mei Li’s parents, 72-year-old Gaoshan Li and 64-year-old Yanxiang Wang, were also victims in the case, though their remains have never been recovered.
All three victims lived together in a Tarzana home with Samuel Haskell and the couple’s three young children. The family was last seen alive on November 6, 2023. The following day, Haskell allegedly hired four day laborers to remove several heavy black plastic trash bags from the property. One laborer reportedly opened a bag, discovered human body parts inside, and called 911. However, by the time police arrived, the bags had vanished.
Surveillance footage captured Haskell dumping trash bags from his Tesla into a dumpster in Encino on November 7. Further video showed him transferring more black plastic bags from his Tesla to a rented SUV, which was later recovered by law enforcement. Blood evidence inside the Tesla matched Gaoshan Li’s genetic profile, according to prosecutors.
At the time of his arrest on November 8, 2023, Haskell was found armed with a folding knife. Investigators also discovered a Home Depot receipt dated October 20, 2023, in his wallet, listing purchases of plywood, canopy, moisture barrier, coveralls, and diamond saw blades—items consistent with dismemberment activities. Inside the rented SUV, police found a loaded handgun, ammunition, a blood-encrusted military-style knife, a headlamp, and passports for Haskell, his wife, and their children.
DNA analysis linked blood on the military knife to all three victims, while blood stains on the firearm matched Mei Haskell and Gaoshan Li. The evidence painted a chilling picture of the murders and subsequent attempts to conceal the crimes.
Haskell, a cinematographer and producer by profession, is the son of Samuel Bond Haskell III, a prominent Hollywood agent and Emmy-winning producer known for representing high-profile clients such as George Clooney and Whoopi Goldberg. The elder Haskell’s reputation in the entertainment industry added a layer of public fascination and media attention to the case.
Following his arrest, Samuel Haskell pleaded not guilty to the three counts of murder, which carried a potential sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was held without bail while awaiting trial. His defense attorney, Joseph A. Weimortz Jr., stated that Haskell was not afraid of prison but was deeply concerned about the media spectacle and its impact on his children. Weimortz revealed that Haskell was willing to waive his right to a preliminary hearing and jury trial to avoid further publicity, and ultimately, "was even willing to take his own life, believing that it would end this terrible chaos."
The couple’s three children were placed in the care of family members during the investigation and later entrusted to the California Department of Children and Family Services.
Haskell’s death marks the 26th inmate fatality in Los Angeles County Sheriff’s custody in 2025. Notably, another inmate was found dead in a nearby cell just one day prior, highlighting ongoing concerns about inmate safety and mental health monitoring within the correctional system.
The story of Samuel Haskell IV is a tragic and complex one, intertwining family devastation, grisly crime, and the shadow of Hollywood’s elite. While the legal proceedings have ended prematurely with his suicide, the wounds left behind for the victims’ family and the community remain profound.
For those struggling with mental health issues or suicidal thoughts, resources are available. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by phone or text, and additional support can be found at 988lifeline.org or by calling 800-273-8255.
