'Mysterious' death of poker player investigated after burnt body found in park

Professional poker player had played in LA, Las Vegas

Professional poker player Susie Zhao - known as Susie Q on the circuit - was found dead in her car and badly burned on 12 July near a lake in Michigan.

Ms Zhao, 33, was found in her car, which was parked in a car park near the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area in Oakland County, Michigan, according to local news station WXYZ Detroit.

"The female subject was badly burned," according to local law enforcement officials.

Ms Zhao's former roommate, Yuval Bronshtein, said she was "surprised, confused and saddened" by the news of Ms Zhao's death.

"It's hard to picture her having enemies," she said.

Ms Zhao competed on national poker circuits which often saw her moving back and forth between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. She had recently moved back in with her parents in Michigan.

"She really was an excellent player," Bart Hanson, a friend and fellow professional poker player, said. "One of the best in LA at the level we played at the Commerce Casino, and it's the biggest poker room in the world."

Ms Zhao referred to herself as a "unicorn in a sea of horses" due to the tendency for competitive poker circuits to be filled with men.

"I proficiently play high stakes poker for a living," she wrote on Twitter. "It's kinda weird because I'm a girl."

Since 2009, Ms Zhao has won $187,441 from World Series of Poker games, including $73,805 earned from an event in which she finished 90th.

White Lake Township Police Department is investigating what they describe as a "mysterious death" and they are receiving assistance from the FBI.

Detective Chris Hild told WIFR News that investigators were examining possible ties between her profession and her death.

A medical examiner has yet to release cause of death.

"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," he said.