What happened to Mei Li Haskell and her parents? Details explored ahead of Death by Fame on ID

A horrific case shocked the community and drew national attention: that of Mei Li Haskell and her parents, Yanxiang Wang and Gaoshan Li. Authorities found a headless torso wrapped in plastic on November 8, 2023, in a dumpster in Encino, California, which they later identified as belonging to Mei Haskell.

Disclaimer: This article consists of mentions of murder and assault. Reader discretion is advised.

Shortly afterward, Mei Haskell's husband, Samuel Bond Haskell IV, was arrested and charged with murdering his wife and her parents. According to reports, he is said to have chopped up their bodies and tried to dispose of them. It has been established that Mei's parents had been staying with the couple and their three children in their home in Tarzana.

Death by Fame, a documentary series on true crime, can be seen on Investigation Discovery (ID). The show's third season premiered on January 13, 2025. New episodes of the series will continue to air each Monday at 9 PM ET/PT. This season's cases include that of Mei Li Haskell and her family.

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Background of Mei Li Haskell's case

Mei Li Haskell, a 37-year-old mother of three, was reported missing along with her parents on November 6, 2023. Her husband, Samuel Haskell IV, is the son of a prominent Hollywood executive. According to reports, family members became concerned when they could not reach Mei or her parents.

Yanqing Wang, Mei's uncle, expressed worry after noticing that his sister's social media accounts had been altered and her friends removed. This made him dig deeper, and not long after, he found the grim fate that befell them. On November 7, 2023, Samuel Haskell is believed to have hired day laborers to take several heavy black plastic bags away from their homes.

One of the workers opened one of the bags and found human remains; this worker immediately contacted law enforcement. The next day, police located a torso of Mei in a dumpster approximately five miles from the Haskells' residence. Further investigations at their residence revealed indications of dismemberment at their house, with blood evidence akin to violent crime.

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Details of the investigation

The investigations concerning the death of Mei Li Haskell and her parents have been challenging and unsettling. Authorities claim that Mei's death was declared to be "homicidal violence." However, the cause is still not established, as authorities claimed that it cannot be determined from her remains. Her autopsy shows that she was decapitated using a sharp object.

Samuel Haskell IV was arrested on November 8, on suspicion of murder, as police connected him to the crime scene. He has been charged with three counts of murder with special circumstances for having committed multiple murders. If convicted, he could receive a life imprisonment sentence without the possibility of parole.

The investigation also uncovered troubling details about the family's dynamics. Reports suggest that financial issues may have contributed to tensions within the household; Mei was reportedly the primary breadwinner while her husband did not contribute financially during significant purchases like their home.

Neighbors described Mei as a caring mother who hosted gatherings for friends but noted that Samuel often appeared withdrawn during these events.

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Community response and litigation

This has been a shocking case to people who have heard the news. No one believed it could happen around their neighborhood. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón was quoted saying these crimes have had shockwaves going through the community and reiterated they are committed to seeking justice on behalf of victims.

Samuel Haskell's arraignment has been rescheduled several times as the case continues to be heard in court. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. The case has received much media attention because of its gruesome nature and Hollywood connections; Samuel is a relative of Sam Haskell III, a former CEO of the Miss America organization.

As investigations continue on this tragic case, authorities continue to dig deeper for more information on what led to the murders and serve justice for Mei Li Haskell and her parents.

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In summary, Mei Li Haskell and her parents were tragically murdered by Samuel Haskell IV, who is now facing multiple charges related to their deaths. The investigation revealed disturbing evidence of dismemberment and raised questions about domestic tensions within the household.