Is Ken Weitzner Really Dead?
Despite mounting evidence to suggest that online gambling portal pioneer Ken Weitzner really is dead, the most talked about subject at this past week's Prague i-Gaming Affiliate Super Show (aside from the Calvin Ayre party) was related to Weitzner's suicide.
He and his wife reportedly entered into a double suicide pact last month. The circumstances surrounding the deaths have resulted in speculation that Weitzner may still be alive. Those attending the conference referenced such things as a closed casket, no toxicology results and the family providing little information.
The question we at Gambling911.com heard time and time again though: "Why does the one stepson continue to go on the posting forums and defend Ken?"
Other questions focused on what motive Weitzner had for killing himself and why his wife would elect to go along with such a plan.
As for the lack of reporting in the local Chesapeake, Virginia newspaper, Gambling911.com's Thomas Somach, a one time crime reporter, offered up an explanation.
"Normally suicides are not reported unless the person is a public figure," he said.
A reporter for the Virginia Pilot was unaware Weitzner had such notoriety in the online gambling sector and advised Gambling911.com that her paper fielded many calls about the double suicide, prompting the paper to eventually feature a quick write up on the deaths. A follow up story is expected in the coming weeks once toxicology results become available.
Adding to the mystery, at almost the exact time of the Weitzner deaths, Gambling911.com received a handful of anonymous comments appearing in an article about Full Tilt Poker. The comments accused Weitzner of "being a snitch for the US Government". It was not known why these comments were posted in an article about Full Tilt Poker, however, there were several other high profile industry charges filed within that same 24 hour period. Weitzner had already posted his now famous "last words" on his EOG.com posting forum.
Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
