Charles Hanover-Los Angeles man accused of killing wife and her parents, putting body parts in trash

2025-05-06 21:23:54source:EAI Community category:Contact

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Los Angeles man was charged Monday with murder for allegedly killing his wife and Charles Hanoverher parents, then stuffing dismembered body parts into a trash bag, prosecutors announced Monday.

Samuel Haskell, 35, was charged with three counts of murder with special circumstances of committing multiple murders and could face life in prison without the chance of parole if convicted, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

During a court appearance, Haskell’s arraignment was postponed and he was ordered held without bail. An email seeking comment from Joseph Gutierrez, an attorney who represented him in court Monday, wasn’t immediately returned.

Haskell lived in the Tarzana neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley with his wife, their three young children and her parents.

Other news Arson likely caused fire that damaged vital artery of Los Angeles freeway, governor saysAfter massive fire closes Los Angeles interstate, motorists urged to take public transportPolice arrest Los Angeles man in connection with dismembered body, missing wife and in-laws

He was arrested last week after a human torso was found in a bag in a dumpster, police said.

Mei Li Haskell, 37, and her parents, Gaoshan Li, 72, and Yanxiang Wang, 64, were last seen on or about Nov. 6, the DA’s office statement said.

“On Nov. 7, Haskell allegedly hired four day-laborers to take away several heavy black plastic trash bags from his home in Tarzana,” the statement said. ”One of the laborers opened one of the bags and allegedly observed human body parts. They called 911 and reported the incident.”

They returned the bags and money, but the bags weren’t there when police arrived, authorities have said.

The same day, Haskell was caught on video dumping something in a dumpster in nearby Encino, authorities said. He was arrested the next day after someone rummaging through trash in that dumpster found a woman’s torso in a trash bag and called 911, prosecutors said.

The torso is suspected to be that of Haskell’s wife, police have said. However, they haven’t been officially identified, the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s department told KNBC-TV.

“We suspect that the torso ... is the body of Mei Haskell,” Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman said Monday. “No other bags containing body parts or remains have been recovered to date but I don’t need a body to charge a murder.”

“There were items of evidence in the house that indicated he dismembered the bodies,” Silverman said.

More:Contact

Recommend

Angie Murimirwa: From hiding in the bathroom to Time's most influential people list

I don't mean to humble brag, but I am on a first name basis with one of the most influential people

Chronic wasting disease: Death of 2 hunters in US raises fear of 'zombie deer'

Two hunters who ate meat from deer known to have chronic wasting disease − or "zombie deer disease"

MLS schedule April 20-21: LAFC hosts New York Red Bulls, Inter Miami meets Nashville again

The 2024 Major League Soccer season is beginning to hit its stride as top contenders are emerging an