A new investigation into the case of Samuel Haskell IV, the son of former Hollywood agent Samuel Haskell Sr.
He was accused of murdering his wife and in-laws in November 2023. Now, new entities claim they are owed hundreds of thousands of dollars from the estate.
The "money claims" in news reports relate to the financial situation of the household, specifically that Haskell's wife was the primary financial provider and paid the majority of the family's expenses, including a $7,000 monthly mortgage, while he was allegedly unemployed or underemployed.
Key details regarding the financial aspects and the case suggest that the victim, Mei Li Haskell, worked multiple jobs and was the main earner for the family, supporting her husband, their three children, and her parents, who lived with them.
The case never went to trial. Samuel Haskell Jr. died by suicide in his jail cell in July 2025, days before his preliminary hearing was set to begin.
The origins of the case stem from a group of day laborers hired by Sam Haskell IV to remove three bags of what they are told are rocks from his garage. The men described the bags as "soft and soggy," with each weighing about 50 pounds.
A block away from Haskell's house, the workers opened up the bags and said they saw body parts. The men returned the bag to Haskell and returned his money. Haskell played it off, telling the workers that what they actually saw were Halloween props. The men drove immediately to the police.
The men try to report what they have seen to the police, but they are turned away. The men went to the Highway Patrol station first but were told to go to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The LAPD Topanga Station tells the men to go back outside and call 911 from the courtyard. In the meantime, the police receive another call about human remains. A homeless man, digging through the dumpster looking for recyclables, finds human remains.
Inside the dumpster, the LAPD found a torso in a bag. The investigation provided detectives with enough information to lead them to Samuel Haskell IV's residence.
Joining Nancy Grace Today:
- Elle Benami - -Friend and Neighbor of Mei & Samuel Haskell; IG: @ellebenami
- Troy Slaten – Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney, Slaten Lawyers, APC; X @TroySlaten
- Dr. Gary Brucato – Clinical Psychologist and Author: “The New Evil: Understanding the Emergence of Modern Violent Crime”
- Chris McDonough – Director At the Cold Case Foundation, Former Homicide Detective; Host of YouTube channel: “The Interview Room”
- Dr. Michelle Dupre – Forensic Pathologist and Former Medical Examiner, Author: “Homicide Investigation Field Guide” & “Investigating Child Abuse Field Guide," and Retired Police Detective with Lexington County Sheriff’s Department
- Dr. Trace Sargent- Search, Rescue & Recovery Expert, (Ph.D. in Psychology with a focus on victimology – criminal profiling – predator behaviors – crime scene analysis); Podcast: “The Seeker’s Quest;” Facebook: The Seeker’s Quest
- Alexis Tereszcuk – "Crime Stories" Investigative Reporter; X: @swimmie2009
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.