Shocking details of Suzie Zhao’s death
Warning: This article contains explicit and shocking details (NSFW/NSFC). Horrific details have emerged in the brutal slaying of popular poker pro Susie Zhao.
The police also revealed how they tracked down the prime suspect in the murder investigation, who was this week charged with ‘first-degree premeditated murder’…
The burned remains of 33-year old Susie Zhao were discovered on July 13th by two local residents near a state land parking area in White Lake Township, Michigan.
Court records this week state that her body “was identified by fingerprints”. Susie had been “bound with zip-ties, and sexually assaulted with a large object before being “lit on fire until she died.”
As we reported last week, police have arrested 60-year old convicted sex offender Jeffrey Bernard Morris. He was this week charged with ‘first-degree premeditated murder’.
Morris is currently in hospital. Although his situation is‘not believed to be life-threatening’, his discharge expected soon, after which he will be taken to Oakland County Jail.
However, his initial story has already been picked apart by detectives.
Morris claims to have picked up Zhao and checked into the Sherwood Motel on July 12th, followed by the pair leaving to buy alcohol together and then returning to the hotel to party.
According to Morris, Susie Zhao left around midnight “and took all of her belongings including her cell phone with her.”
However, the police investigation has revealed that cell phone records prove Susie Zhao’s phone remained at the motel until roughly 5 am.
CCTV footage shows Morris leaving the motel around that time, again the cell phone records tracking him to the parking lot where Susie’s body was found, where he remained for roughly seven minutes.
Police investigations
After Morris was arrested on a warrant on Friday 1st August, the investigation focused on his vehicle.
Duffle bags with Morris ID were found, containing among other items, “a fitted bed sheet with apparent blood stains as well as a wooden baseball bat with a possible big bloodstain.”
Hair and other fibers, footwear impressions, possible bloodstains, and other items were also taken to the Oakland County Crime Lab for testing.
The police investigation has revealed that Susie stayed at the same hotel on several occasions recently. While Morris has been described as ‘a transient, homeless person’. The relationship between the pair – if any – is still under investigation.
Jeffrey Bernard Morris is a registered sex offender with a long list of convictions, including for sexual offenses and domestic violence.
In 1989 he was convicted of 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct. He also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence in 2009. Morris was recently out on bail facing fraud charges.
He is being held without bail and is due back in court on August 18th.
White Lake Township Detective Chris Hildstated this week: “This is not the end of the investigation into Susie’s death but the beginning of the pursuit of justice for her and her family.”
Hild added: “We can only hope that where we are today brings some level of comfort to the healing process.”
Despite the horrific details emerging of Susie Zhao’s death, she will be remembered by fellow poker players as a bubbly, friendly, and talented pro.
The details coming out about Susie Zhao’s murder are truly horrifying. My heart goes out to her family & loved ones & those of you in the poker community who knew her & are having to process all of this.
There is no justice after something like this but I hope she’s at peace.
— Kara Scott (@KaraOTR) August 12, 2020
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