The son of a prominent Hollywood television producer has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with a dismembered female torso discovered several miles from his Los Angeles home, authorities said.
Samuel Haskell Jr. is the son of Sam Haskell Sr., founder and president of Magnolia Hill Productions. Haskell Sr. spent time at William Morris, where he rose to Worldwide Head of Television.
At William Morris, Haskell oversaw the “packaging” of all agency-represented network projects, including “Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” “Mad About You,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Lost,” “Murphy Brown,” “Sisters,” “Suddenly Susan,” “Live with Regis & Kathie Lee,” “Diagnosis Murder,” “King of Queens,” “Las Vegas” and “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” among many others.
The elder Haskell resigned as CEO of the Miss America organization after a 2017 email scandal.
His Magnolia Hill Productions has produced various Dolly Parton specials and two revived specials featuring The Waltons.
The junior Haskell’s wife and in-laws are missing. A dismembered female torso was discovered several miles from his Los Angeles home, authorities said. The unidentified human remains were found near a dumpster in Encino on Wednesday morning.
Video evidence from the scene and vehicle information led police to Haskell Jr.s house in Tarzana. There, officers allegedly discovered evidence of a crime, including blood evidence, police said.
Haskell Jr. was booked on one count of suspicion of murder, police said. He had been tracked to and arrested at the Topanga Mall, Gutierrez said.
The identification of the human remains is ongoing, police said today.
Samuel Haskell Jr. and his missing wife, Mei Haskell, have three elementary-aged children. The children are now with family, police said.
Haskell is currently being held on $2 million bail. He is due in court on Nov. 13.
