Police Find Dismembered Body In Trunk Of Car On Thanksgiving Day
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on November 27, 2023 at 12:15 PM EST
Police in Florida discovered a dismembered body in the trunk of a car after responding to an urgent welfare check.
The discovery came on Thanksgiving Day after the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) arrived at the scene of a suspected murder. Police enforcement knocked on the front door of the home and announced themselves, however, there was no answer.
Deputies then began checking the home’s perimeter, per the CCSO.
Police Enforcement Discovers Butcher-Style Knife and Blood In Backyard
When entering the backyard of the home, police found a large butcher-style knife on the ground, blood, and drag marks. That is when deputies knew that a crime had been committed.
"After making further attempts at contacting the suspect, deputies made entry into the house. The suspect, 75-year-old Jonathan Dimick Senior was found sitting in his living room, unresponsive, but alive with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his abdomen," per the CCSO. "The suspect received emergency medical treatment from members of Citrus County Fire Rescue before being transferred over to a helicopter and transported for medical treatment. He succumbed to his injuries at the hospital."
After further investigation, police found a dismembered body in the trunk of a vehicle. The remains belonged to 67-year-old James Banks.
“The scene our deputies responded to was absolutely shocking. It is rare that a case this horrific occurs in Citrus County, but this is what we prepare for,” Sheriff Mike Prendergast said. “It is truly unfortunate that our suspect will never be prosecuted for this brutal crime - However, thanks to the caller’s courage and our team’s quick response, Mr. Banks’ family can begin their grieving process with the knowledge that no one will ever again suffer by the hands of Mr. Dimick.”
Gruesome Hollywood Murder Connected To Powerful Celebrity Agent
The Blast previously reported that part of a woman’s body was found in a dumpster in Tarzana, California, and Sam Haskell, the son of powerful celebrity agent, Sam Haskell Sr., was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection to the discovery.
According to law enforcement, after searching for a San Fernando Valley woman and her parents, who have been missing and feared to be deceased, police found a partially dismembered woman’s body they believe belonged to Haskell’s wife or his mother-in-law.
“When the officers responded they discovered a dismembered female wrapped in a plastic bag. It was just outside the dumpster, they confirmed that it was human remains,” LAPD Detective Efren Gutierrez said at the time of the discovery. He later specified that a torso was discovered in the garbage bag.
https://youtu.be/ek0VUzlLbEo
Those who are missing were identified as:
- Mei Haskell, the wife of Sam Haskell
- Gaoshan Li, age 72, male. 5-foot-6-inches tall and weighs about 140 pounds.
- YanXiang Wang, age 64, female. 5-foot-4-inches tall and weighs approximately 135 pounds.
Mei Haskell is married to Sam Haskell, whose dad, Sam Haskell Sr., is a powerful celebrity agent who represented celebrities like George Clooney, Martin Short, Dolly Parton, Kirstie Alley, Tony Danza, Whoopi Goldberg, Prince Edward, Kathie Lee Gifford, Ray Romano, and Debbie Allen.
He is now retired.
