The son of a Hollywood executive accused of murdering his wife and parents pleaded not guilty Friday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Samuel Bond Haskell IV, 35, was arrested in November on suspicion of killing his wife, Mei Haskell, 37; his mother, Yanxiang Wang, 64; and his stepfather, Gaoshan Li, 72.
Authorities say Haskell first attempted to dispose of the human remains on Nov. 7, when he hired laborers to remove the bags from his property. The workers, who said they were paid $500 and initially told they were carrying rocks, said the bags felt soggy and soft, like meat. The workers attempted to return the money and contacted police, but when officers arrived, the bags were gone, according to a KNBC-TV Channel 4 report.
The next day, a homeless man found a duffel bag containing a human torso in a Tarzana dumpster. Haskell was arrested a short time later. Surveillance video from a nearby building captured a man who appeared to be Haskell throwing the bag after unloading it from his vehicle.
The Los Angeles County coroner determined that the torso belonged to Mei Haskell, but Los Angeles police detectives have not yet located the remains of her parents. Police have not confirmed a motive or manner of death in the murders, but Los Angeles County D.P. Lawyer. Beth Silverman said detectives discovered blood and evidence consistent with dismemberment inside the family home.
If convicted of the murders, Haskell faces a possible sentence of life in prison without parole. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 16.
Haskell shared a home with his wife and in-laws in the 4100 block of Coldstream Terrace in Tarzana. His wife's relatives, many of whom still live in China, previously told The Times that while they were not aware of any fights or arguments about divorce between the couple, the financial problems were a strain on their relationship.
Police officers stand outside the house where Mei Haskell and her parents are believed to have been murdered and dismembered.
(KTLA-TV Channel 5)
Mei was the only person contributing to the couple's $7,000 monthly mortgage, according to her uncle, who described Haskell as “strange” and “quiet and reserved.”
Authorities recovered cars used by the family in the San Fernando Valley and said that in the days between the murders and his arrest, Haskell had driven throughout Los Angeles County. Haskell's children are now in the care of relatives, according to authorities.
The defendant's father, Sam Haskell, won an Emmy Award as a producer and was a top executive at the powerhouse talent agency William Morris before launching his own production company.
