Police hold suspect in connection with professional poker player Susie Zhao's death

DETROIT – A 60-year-old Michigan man has been taken into custody in connection with the death of professional poker player Susie Zhao.

The White Lake Township Police Department took the Pontiac man into custody around 9 a.m. Friday after locating the suspect's vehicle, the department said in a news release. Police stopped the suspect near I-275 and Michigan Avenue and executed the search warrant, White Lake Township Police Detective Lt. Christopher Hild said. 

Zhao's body was found badly burned July 13 at a state park in White Lake Township, about 40 miles northwest of Detroit. Authorities believe she was killed at the recreation area, then her body was set ablaze, although her cause of death has not yet been released.

Susie Zhao: Mystery deepens in death of professional poker player found burned in Michigan

The professional poker player had recently moved to live with her parents in Waterford after living in California and Las Vegas for more than 10 years. 

Known to other players as Susie Q, the 33-year-old Zhao had winnings of at least $187,441, according to the World Series of Poker website, including $73,805 at an event in 2012.

White Lake Township police Detective Lt. Chris Hild has noted that her death could be related to her travels on the poker circuit.

The investigation into Zhao's death is ongoing, police said. 

Contributing: Emma Dale of the Free Press; The Associated Press

Follow Meredith Spelbring on Twitter @mere0415.