A California man whose wife and in-laws are missing was arrested on murder charges after a dismembered torso was discovered in a trash bin at a shopping center.
Samuel Haskell, 35, of Tarzana, was arrested on a murder charge at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, about four hours after a homeless person searching for recyclables stumbled upon the torso, ABC 7 reported.
“A dismembered woman wrapped in a plastic bag. She was right outside the dumpster,” LAPD Detective Efrén Gutiérrez told reporters.
Haskell’s wife, Mei Haskell, and his parents, mother Yanxiang Wang and father Gaoshen Li, were already reported missing before the gruesome discovery, authorities said.
Authorities are still working to identify the torso, but believe it is Haskell’s wife. Her parents are still missing.
“If a murder suspect is dismembering a body, it’s to delay identification,” LAPD homicide Detective Efren Guttierez said, KTLA reported.
Authorities believe the torso is that of Samuel Haskell’s wife, Mei Haskell, pictured. KABC A California man whose wife is missing has been charged with murder after a woman’s torso was discovered in a dumpster. KTLA
The night before the torso was discovered, some reported to police seeing a body in a black bag near Haskell’s home, but when officers arrived the bag was gone, according to the outlet.
Around 6:15 a.m. Wednesday, the homeless person found the human remains, which had been placed inside a duffel bag and thrown into a dumpster about five miles from the Coldstream Terrace home.
Investigators said there were no obvious identifying signs, such as tattoos on the torso.KTTV
Investigators said there were no obvious identifying signs, such as tattoos on the torso, which they do not believe have been there for more than a couple of days.
The commercial area includes two banks, a hair salon and a family-style restaurant.
Police located the couple’s three children at school on Wednesday and turned them over to the Department of Children and Family Services, ABC 7 reported.
Mei’s parents, Yanxiang Wang, above, and Gaoshen Li were reported missing.Carlos Saucedo/X Gaoshen Li.Carlos Saucedo/X
People who were in the area during the discovery were shocked to learn of the remains.
“I think it was a little strange to drive there and get blocked along the boulevard and get to the little center here and find out there were body parts there… in Encino!” one resident told ABC 7.
“We’ve had a lot of crime in Encino over the last few months,” the person added.
Investigators are still looking for clues and hope surveillance videos will shed more light on the investigation.
Haskell is being held on $2 million bail at the Valley Jail in Van Nuys.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn