Ernie Scherer III, who is a "person of interest" in the murders of his parents, is currently attending the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas according to Gambling911.com sources.

Detectives have spent months trying to figure out who would have wanted to kill Ernie Scherer Jr., 60, and his wife Charlene Abendroth, 57. Investigators have ruled out any suspects related to Ernie Scherer's political connections, and all other family members, Alameda Homicide Detective Scott Dudek said. But detectives have not been able to rule out the couple's 29-year-old son, who was believed to have owed substantial gambling debts.

The younger Scherer is an avid poker player (as was his late father), having amassed nearly $300,000 over his poker career.

One of the motives being looked at in the brutal slaying - money.  The Scherers apparently had plenty of it, most of which was tied into real estate deals.

The Mercury News reported that property records from 2007 show Scherer bought eight properties in Santa Cruz and Nevada, just after taking out a $500,000 line of credit on his Castlewood Drive home -- which was purchased for $1.3 million. He and Abendroth also sold a number of properties in Lake County from 2002 to 2005.

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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher CCostigan@CostiganMedia.com

Originally published June 16, 2008 11:48 pm EST