
X-Men actor Shawn Ashmore shares heartbreaking tribute after murder of friend
The X-Men star, 45, and his wife Dana, 42, shared a heartbreaking tribute saying their 'hearts are heavy' but they do have some closure.
Mei Li, 37, was murdered in her home in Tazana, California, on November 6, 2023, along with her mother Yanxiang Wang, 64, and her stepfather Gaoshan Li, 71.
Sam Haskell IV, the son of a prominent Hollywood executive, was accused of the murders and took his own life on Saturday while awaiting trial.
'Our hearts are heavy, but we feel some small sense of peace knowing there is finally a bit of closure,' said Shawn and his wife in a statement.
The couple reportedly helped local police with their investigation, so have not been able to address the case publicly until now.
They continued: 'We are mourning the loss of an extraordinary mother, someone who poured her entire heart into her three boys and never stopped putting them first.'
The Boys actor initially met Mei Li in 2022 through their children, who became friends after going to school in the same area.
'She was so generous, so kind, so loving,' Dana said to TMZ. 'She's someone that never deserved this.'
The outlet reports she was discovered after being dismembered and her body brutally disposed of in the bin. Her parents' bodies were not found.
Mei Li was a devoted mother as well as an avid pickleball player and loved collecting Pokémon cards, according to the couple.
One memory shared was when she brought a children's cooking set from China for their kids as a gift.
'[Mei Li] was more than a friend; she went above and beyond for everyone who had the gift of knowing her. Her love, her laughter, her warmth — she's deeply missed, and always will be.' More Trending
Haskell was found dead in his cell in the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, with TMZ reporting he left behind a note saying he would miss his 'three best friends', meaning his sons.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said of the suicide: 'Instead of standing before a judge and answering for the crimes he's been charged with, the defendant managed to escape justice.
'This is one last cruel act by someone who did the most horrific things for reasons we will never entirely know.'
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: American Idol TV executive Robin Kaye and husband murdered in their LA home
MORE: Paranormal TV investigator Dan Rivera dies suddenly while touring with haunted Annabelle doll
MORE: Kevin Spacey begs for release of Epstein files and insists he 'has nothing to fear'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time Out
an hour ago
- Time Out
Tokyo is getting a Pokémon theme park in spring 2026
Tokyo is paradise for Pokémon enthusiasts, offering everything from immersive Pokémon Centers to themed cafés serving up pocket-monster-inspired food and drinks. If you're in town this summer, you can even have a sleepover with your favourite Pokémon at Grand Hyatt Tokyo. But the excitement doesn't stop there – Pokémon fans are in for a major treat, as Tokyo is set to welcome its first-ever permanent outdoor Pokémon attraction in spring 2026. PokéPark Kanto will take over an expansive 26,000sqm space at Yomiuriland in the western suburbs and will feature a Pokémon Center, Trainers' Market, Gym, Pokémon Mart, Sedge Town area, and a 'Pokémon Forest' home to over 600 pocket monsters. That last one looks set to be one of the park's highlights. The lush Pokémon Forest will feature a mix of terrains from hilly paths and tall grassy areas to tunnels and rocky trails. Here, you'll be able to observe a wide variety of Pokémon in the wild. Another exciting area is Sedge Town, home to a Pokémon Center, Poké Market, Gym and Trainers' Market, where you can shop for exclusive merchandise. You'll also be able to catch a Disneyland-style Pokémon parade here, along with two other attractions. At the heart of the town, the Primarina Fountain serves as a gathering spot for Pokémon trainers visiting the grounds. The grand opening of PokéPark Kanto is set for spring 2026, with advance ticket sales expected to begin in autumn 2025. We'll keep you posted when tickets become available.


Time Out
an hour ago
- Time Out
A new Pokémon theme park is coming to Tokyo in 2026
Gotta catch 'em all – a new Pokémon theme park is coming to Japan in early 2026. Slated to open in a corner of Yomiuri Land amusement park, the upcoming PokéPark KANTO will be the first permanent outdoor facility dedicated to the iconic Japanese media franchise. PokéPark KANTO is slated for early 2026 and will stretch 26,000 square meters in Tokyo's Tama Hills. Park-goers will get to meet over 600 Pokémon in two main zones: Pokémon Forest and Sedge Town. The first is a spacious wilderness spanning almost 500 metres in length. It will feature various terrain – think hilly paths, tall grass, tunnels, and rocky trails where Pokémon from Kanto and other regions will roam. In other words, a great opportunity for you to train your Pokémon spotting skills! Sedge Town is envisioned as a space where Pokémon and Trainers can meet and socialise. Shop for merchandise in the Pokémon Trainers Market, or visit Pokémon Centre, Poké Mart, and Sedge Town. There will also be Pokémon parades for the whole family to enjoy, and two other unannounced attractions. Advance ticket sales are expected to begin in late 2025, so stay tuned for more information regarding ticket prices and how to book.


Metro
12 hours ago
- Metro
Sacha Baron Cohen stuns with jaw-dropping 'mid-life crisis' transformation
Sacha Baron Cohen is no stranger to undergoing a dramatic transformation. From Borat to Brüno Gehard and Ali G, the 53-year-old has reinvented himself numerous times throughout his career. But his latest dramatic change may well be his most shocking. After recently appearing onscreen as Mephisto in the season finale of Marvel's Disney+ seires Ironheart, the Grimsby star showed off his muscles in the latest issue of Men's Fitness. Posting a series of topless images on his Instagram, Sacha can be seen doing pull-ups and posing with gym equipment. Commenting on his post, he said: 'This is not AI, I really am egotistical enough to do this. 'Some celebs use Ozempic, some use private chefs, others use personal trainers. I did all three.' The Dictator star went on to say he is 'hard launching my mid-life crisis' and 'debuting my new character: middle aged man who replaced beer with protein shakes'. He also thanked his personal trainer Alfonso Moretti 'for doing the unthinkable – putting up with me for 25 mins a day'. Commenting beneath his post on Instagram, @chelseahandler asked: 'Is this AI?' @sierra.c.c also joked: 'I'm sorry, but thirst trap Borat was not on my 2025 bingo card.' Meanwhile, @laurenaniess wrote: 'What? This is real!, while @ quipped: 'From Borat to gym rat.' This comes after Sacha finalised his divorce from his ex Isla Fisher in June. His latest role as Mephisto is his second live-action role since Borat Subsuquent Moviefilm in 2020. Marvel Studios executive Kevin Feige recently revealed that Cohen will reprise his role as Mephisto in future MCU projects, according to Gamesradar+. More Trending Following his reveal on the show, TV fans were left screaming over a 'spine-chilling' twist. After four long years of waiting, the MCU finally introduced the terrifying villain. Mephisto is the Marvel Universe's equivalent of Satan, and his appearance has been a long time coming. Superhero fans have been predicting and hoping that the Lord of all that is Evil would appear in the MCU for years now. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: TV fans are screaming over 'spine-chilling' twist after agonising 4-year wait