Tarzana Murder Suspect Samuel Haskell Found Dead in Custody Before Facing Trial: What We Know
In a tragic and unsettling turn of events, Samuel Bond Haskell, a 37-year-old Tarzana man accused of one of Los Angeles’ most chilling murder cases, was found dead in custody on Saturday morning. His death comes just days before he was set to appear in court to face charges for the brutal murder of his wife and in-laws, a case that had shocked California and made national headlines.
Justice Cut Short: Haskell Dies Before Trial
Haskell was discovered dead in his cell at Twin Towers Correctional Facility shortly after 4 a.m., the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed. While the department has withheld specifics surrounding the cause of death, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman revealed in a statement that Haskell had taken his own life.
“This is one last cruel act by someone who did the most horrific things for reasons we will never entirely know,” Hochman stated. “A family that has already endured unimaginable loss has now been robbed of the opportunity to face him in court and seek justice.”
The Horrific Crimes That Shook Tarzana
Haskell had been charged with the murders of his wife, Mei Li Haskell (37), and her parents, Gaoshan Li (72) and Yanxiang Wang (64). All three had been reported missing since November 6, 2023.
The gruesome discovery of dismembered body parts in an Encino trash bin on November 8, 2023, led to Haskell’s swift arrest. Disturbingly, the crime came to light after Haskell reportedly hired four day-laborers to remove several heavy black trash bags from his home. When one of the workers checked inside a bag, they allegedly found human remains and quickly contacted 911.
Though the laborers returned the bags and their payment to Haskell, authorities were unable to locate the bags upon arrival at the home. Surveillance footage later captured Haskell dumping objects into a dumpster in Encino, where a woman’s torso was later discovered.
Evidence That Painted a Gruesome Picture
Prosecutors had amassed chilling evidence linking Haskell to the murders. DNA traces from all three victims were discovered on a bloody knife found in Haskell’s possession. Investigators also uncovered an arsenal of weapons in his home, including a cutting saw, machetes, knives, a .357-caliber firearm, and a blood-stained plyboard, believed to be where the killings occurred.
Detectives also reported that Haskell had been involved in an affair with a 27-year-old woman, though no clear motive was ever established. District Attorney Hochman remarked,
“The full motive for an individual to so violently and barbarically kill three people… Mr. Haskell has taken that motive to the grave with him.”
A Family Torn Apart, Young Children Left Behind
The tragedy was amplified by the fact that Haskell and Mei Li lived with their three young children and her parents in their Tarzana home. Miraculously, the children were physically unharmed during the incident and have since been placed in the care of relatives.
The horror of the case was further amplified by Haskell’s Hollywood ties—he is the son of Sam Haskell, a well-known Emmy-winning television producer and former talent agent who represented stars like George Clooney, Dolly Parton, and Whoopi Goldberg.
A Final Escape From Accountability
Samuel Haskell’s suicide has enraged both legal authorities and the victims’ family members, who feel they have been denied justice and the chance to confront him in court. His death means a trial—where details could have emerged about his motives and psychological state—will never take place.
District Attorney Hochman summed up the tragedy:
“Instead of facing a judge and hearing the impact statements of a devastated family, Haskell took the coward’s exit, leaving behind more unanswered questions and even deeper wounds.”
A Community in Mourning, A Case That Will Be Remembered
The Tarzana murder case leaves behind a lasting impact—not just on the family, but on a community grappling with the senseless brutality of the crime. Friends, neighbors, and the broader public continue to mourn for Mei Li, Gaoshan, and Yanxiang, as well as the young children who must now grow up without their mother and grandparents.
As the investigation formally concludes, the case serves as a grim reminder of the hidden dangers that can exist behind closed doors, even in the most unsuspecting neighborhoods.
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