The dismembered torso discovered in a dumpster in Los Angeles’ Encino neighborhood that led to the arrest of Hollywood scion Samuel Haskell IV has been confirmed as belonging to his missing wife.
Identity revealed: On Monday, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that the remains found on Nov. 8 belonged to 37-year-old Mei Li Haskell, who had been missing with her parents, Gaoshan Li, 72, and Yanxiang Wang, 64, for weeks. All three people are believed to have been killed by Samuel Haskell IV.
Authorities previously assumed that the torso — which was spotted by a transient man — belonged to Mei Li. Her place of death has been listed as a parking lot, but the cause remains under investigation.
Catch up: Haskell, 35, was arrested after the discovery of the torso at the dumpster near Ventura Boulevard and Rubio Avenue on Nov. 8. Police who searched his Tarzana home reportedly found evidence consistent with a killing and dismemberment.
The day before, Haskell hired laborers to dispose black trash bags that allegedly contained body parts. The workers reported their discovery and returned the bags to Haskell, but they were gone by the time police arrived.
What’s next: Haskell, who was allegedly photographed dumping the bags himself, is facing three counts of murder. He was ordered held without bail and will return to court on Jan. 14.
Mei Li’s parents, in the meantime, are still missing. The Haskells’ three children are in the custody of the local Department of Children and Family Services.
