#Susie Zhao death: Michigan police suspect link to gambling in other states

Police said the death of professional poker player Susie Zhao, whose charred body has been found in a remote Michigan park, may be connected to her gambling in other states, according to a report.

Zhao, 33, was last seen alive by her mother July 12 at 5:30 p.m., according to the White Lake Township Police Department.

Her body was found about 8:30 a.m. the next day in a parking lot near the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, on the outskirts of Detroit.

“You have to determine whether or not this is a cover-up, or this may be some sort of retaliatory incident because of her profession,” said Detective Chris Hild, WIFR reported.

Investigators are asking witnesses to come forward.

“We still are looking for anybody that may have seen or talked to Susie between Sunday at about 5:30 p.m. and early hours of Monday morning,” an unnamed official said, according to the outlet.

Pal Michelle Lagrou said “everybody loved” the high-stakes player, who recently moved back to Michigan from Los Angeles.

“Nobody ever remembers her fighting with anybody ever, no conflict, no drama,” Lagrou added.

Other friends said Zhao — who was known on the professional poker circuit as Susie Q — began playing as a team when they grew up in Troy.

“(She) was a free spirit in the truest sense,” friend Meredith Rogowski said, according to the outlet. “She played by her own rules. She followed her dreams — absolutely brilliant.”