LOS ANGELES, CA – Samuel Haskell IV, a California man who was awaiting trial on charges of brutally murdering his wife and in-laws in a high-profile 2023 case that shocked the nation, was found dead in his jail cell early Saturday morning. He was 37 years old.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that Haskell was discovered unresponsive at approximately 4:20 a.m. at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles. Despite life-saving efforts by jail staff and emergency responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
While the official cause of death has not yet been released by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner, multiple sources, including an attorney for the Haskell family, have confirmed that he died by suicide. “It is with great sorrow that we confirm the death of Samuel Haskell IV by suicide while in custody,” said attorney Joseph A. Weimortz Jr. in a public statement.
A Case That Captivated the Nation
Samuel Haskell IV gained national attention in late 2023 after being charged with the murder and dismemberment of his wife, Mei Haskell, as well as the suspected murders of her parents, 72-year-old father Gaosong Doua and 63-year-old mother Du Yuehong. The case drew intense media scrutiny due to the gruesome nature of the crimes and Haskell’s ties to a prominent Hollywood family.
Haskell was the son of well-known Hollywood producer and former television executive Samuel Haskell III. The family’s name had long been associated with philanthropy and entertainment, making the events of 2023 all the more shocking to those who knew them.
The murder charges stemmed from a horrific scene that began to unfold when a dismembered torso, later identified as belonging to Mei Haskell, was discovered in a dumpster in Encino. Authorities linked the remains back to the couple’s Tarzana home, where further evidence of a violent crime was found. Her parents, who were reportedly living with the couple at the time, were never located and are presumed dead.
Haskell was arrested shortly thereafter and held without bail as the investigation continued. Prosecutors described the killings as “deliberate, violent, and deeply disturbing.” He faced multiple counts of murder and was expected to stand trial in 2025.
Life Before the Crimes
Before his name became synonymous with one of Los Angeles’ most disturbing homicide cases in recent memory, Samuel Haskell IV lived a relatively quiet life under the shadow of his family’s Hollywood legacy. Educated and well-connected, Haskell had worked in various business roles and was described by acquaintances as charismatic, though some described signs of erratic behavior in the months leading up to the murders.
He and Mei had three young children together, all of whom were safely removed from the home by authorities at the time of his arrest and placed under protective care.
Aftermath and Unanswered Questions
Haskell’s suicide leaves numerous questions unanswered—not only for law enforcement and legal teams but most importantly for the families of the victims, who had hoped to see justice served through a full trial.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office released a brief statement expressing sympathy to the victims’ family and acknowledging the complications now posed by Haskell’s death. “While we respect the due process rights of every defendant, our hearts remain with the victims’ families, who continue to suffer an unimaginable loss,” the statement read.
The Sheriff’s Department has launched an internal investigation into the circumstances of Haskell’s death, including the monitoring protocols in place at the time. Twin Towers Correctional Facility is one of the largest and most closely scrutinized detention centers in the nation and has faced prior criticism over inmate mental health care.
A Tragic and Troubling Legacy
The Haskell case will be remembered not just for its brutality, but for the deep wounds it inflicted on two families and the broader community. What began as an unthinkable act of domestic violence has now concluded in tragedy within the justice system, denying survivors and loved ones the opportunity to see accountability fully carried out in court.
With Haskell’s death, the legal chapter closes, but for those mourning Mei Haskell and her parents, the grieving continues.
“Mei was a loving daughter, a devoted mother, and a kind-hearted woman,” a family friend said at the time of her death. “No verdict, and no headline, can capture the pain left behind by her loss.”
Samuel Haskell IV is survived by his three children. Funeral or memorial arrangements for him have not been publicly announced.