MI - Susie Zhao, 33, professional poker player, found fatally burned, Detroit, 13 Jul 2020 *arrest*

I would like to watch the police news conference video if there is a link.

Clearly this investigation is not over for LE and possibly the FBI as their interest in a single random act of violence by a homeless ex-con drifter would be expected to be low in their priorities. After committing murder, a convicted rapist apparently checked into the hospital with an unspecified medical issue. Was the hospital the safest place for Morris, given that the police would be looking for him? Or was Morris brought into the hospital after he was found injured/incapacitated? Police are vague here citing privacy. Maybe police want to learn from other jurisdictions, or Morris's associates in Florida, exactly what Morris has been living on since his release from prison. The details are a bit odd. Was the 2008 Audi proceeds of retail fraud? Not the most low key mode of transport while homeless/begging for help from friends who felt sorry for him. Friends kicked him out after discovering Morris was violent. Hmmm, friends didn't know Morris well but let him live with them for free...hinkey meter up.

Second thing that bugs me: if premeditated, then why? If police have yet to find a motive while at the same time ruling out gambling and card-playing as the motive (how could gambling be ruled out, it is an addiction, right)? Even with no money (both Zhao and Morris appear to be on their last dime), money to book into the motel was available. The meeting was important enough to scrape together cash that neither apparently had. Note, Zhao's car was confiscated due to unspecified motor violations so she must have been desperate for cash. Moo.

 

This bugs me every time I see it. There is no such place as Sterling Hills, Michigan. There is Sterling Heights that is in Macomb County. I found an apartment complex in Sterling Heights that is called Sterling Hills Apartments. It's probably not a big deal, but I wonder why Susie lists her home as Sterling Hills, MI when there is no such place? Her parents' home in White Lake Township is Oakland County (where I am).

 

You’re not kidding! Her delivery is quite... emphatic.

 

It’s like a 1920s or 1950s newsreel. Old, old school.

 

Wow! Yeah, she can’t be serious with that voice, can she? Almost makes a mockery of the whole situation, IMO. I guess that’s her actual “news voice” but it sure sounds like she’s disregarding the seriousness of this crime. IMO.

 

Disgusting creep


https://nypost.com/2020/08/12/poker-pro-susie-zhao-bound-sexually-assaulted-and-lit-on-fire/

 

That article is pretty telling in some ways.

She left LA to get her life together, and returned to Michigan to live with family. Maybe that wasn’t going well either, because this encounter doesn’t sound like it was by chance. At least that is my reading - it sounds like they had made an evening plan together.

 

I finally watched this Channel 7 report. Bizarre, for sure. I haven't watched WXYZ -TV since the days of Bill Bonds, so I don't really know anything about their anchors or reporters. AI's delivery sounds like an over-the-top affectation.

 

this is strange imho also last seen July 13 fwiw
Poker Pro "Yukon" Brad Booth Reported Missing

His thread:
NV - Brad Booth, Pro Poker Player, last seen in Reno, July 13 2020

 

Motel meeting with sex offender ends with poker pro tied up, tortured & ‘lit on fire until she died’: Docs

Horrifying.

 

I was just about to say the same

 

just came here to say the same!

 

What could have led this successful young woman to meet a sex offender in a seedy motel?

 

So, she may not have stayed with him?

 

Here’s a totally different story from the motel owner, saying they didn’t check in together

“The motel owner said Zhao checked in on July 9, checked out July 11 and Morris checked into the same room July 12.

Zhao’s remains were found the next day. The motel owner said they never saw Zhao and Morris together.”

Police release details in murder of woman found burned in White Lake Township

 

One of the article that BetteDavisEyes posted had this:

Clarkston District Judge Kelley Kostin denied bond Friday due to the severity of the crimes and set a probable cause for Aug. 18.

 

Could this have been a chance encounter when or if Susie returned to the motel thinking that she might have left something in the room? I'm not clear on whether or not the two were acquainted

 

Another local article. How terrible. Warning: details in this article are graphic and disturbing.


Check out this article from Detroit Free Press:

Police: Professional poker player Susie Zhao was tortured, set on fire

Cops: Poker player Susie Zhao was sexually assaulted, burned to death