Michigan police identified a body found a week ago as that of poker player Susie Zhao, according to The Oakland Press.
The remains of Zhao, 33, were found badly burned last Monday in the parking lot of a state recreation area in White Lake Township. Details in the report are scant, but police are seeking any tips that can aid the investigation into Zhao’s murder — anyone who can help has been asked to contact Detective Lt. Christopher Hild at 248-698-4404, ext. 2381.
Zhao’s Poker Career
Zhao identified herself as a professional player on a seldom used Twitter account, and she had $224,671 in tournament cashes, according to The Hendon Mob. The majority of that came thanks to several deep runs in the World Series of Poker Main Event — Zhao cashed the event in 2012, 2015 and 2017. An especially deep run came in 2012, when she finished 90th for $73,805.
Zhao, whose Facebook says she lives in Los Angeles, was also reportedly a regular in the cash games in the area and even appeared on “Live at the Bike.”
“She was one of the bubbliest and most vivacious opponents I’ve ever had,” wrote Clayton Fletcher, who played with Zhao in the 2015 Main. “She was a very strong player who also liked to have fun at the table.”
