Mei Haskell Obituary – Mei Haskell, 37, was regarded as a cheerful and considerate addition to the community when she and her family moved to Tarzana, a well-manicured suburb in the San Fernando Valley, in December 2020. Elle Benami, Mei’s neighbor who resides next door to their six-bedroom house, shares a fond memory of Mei’s kindness. When Benami needed a plumber’s recommendation during a holiday weekend, she approached Mei for advice. To her surprise, Mei insisted that Benami and her family come over and use their shower. Benami describes Mei as a sociable, outgoing, and friendly person.
However, Benami noticed a change in Mei’s demeanor one day when she spotted her while driving. Mei appeared visibly upset, prompting Benami to make a mental note to check on her later. Little did she know that this encounter would be a turning point.
A few days later, on November 8, Mei’s husband, Sam Haskell IV, a 35-year-old filmmaker and the son of a renowned Hollywood producer, was arrested by the police. He was charged with multiple counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Mei, her mother Yanxiang Wang (64), and her stepfather Gaoshan Li (72). During the arraignment hearing on January 12, Sam Haskell pleaded not guilty to the three murder charges. If convicted, he could face a life sentence without the possibility of parole. His lawyer declined to comment on the case.
The motive behind Sam Haskell’s alleged crimes remains unknown, and the bodies of Mei’s in-laws, Li and Wang, have yet to be found. Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman emphasizes the ongoing investigation to ensure justice for Mei Haskell and her family.
Mei, who grew up in China and worked as a model during her teenage years, had always yearned for the quintessential American lifestyle. In the mid-2000s, she immigrated to Los Angeles, where she pursued accounting studies at California State University, Northridge, while working as a waitress. It was during this time that she met Sam, a fellow student and the son of Hollywood executive Sam Haskell III, known for producing TV specials for Dolly Parton and serving as the CEO of the Miss America Organization before resigning.