PokerWorks

Reports surfaced on August 10, 2009, that the founder of PokerListings, a poker news and tournament reporting website, was murdered at his childhood home in Sweden. Andreas Oscarsson remained an advisor for the site until his death, though he moved out of an executive role when his son was born two years ago.

The 36-year old was visiting his home in Trollhattan, Sweden with his two-year old son. Oscarsson was found shot in his bed on August 3, though his son was unharmed. Swedish Newspaper The Local quoted the police commander as saying, “A forensics investigation has been conducted at the scene and a preliminary investigation has indicated murder or manslaughter.” The child’s mother was in New York at the time, and other family members are cooperating with officials in an attempt to come up with a motive and possible suspects. All that is known is that a break-in via an open bedroom window preceded the murder.

The newspaper also reported that “concrete threats” were made against Oscarsson, though no information has been released pertaining to motives for those threats. PokerListings has been a profitable endeavor, so financial reasons are being investigated, but Oscarsson was not known to have any specific enemies.

In an article published on the site by the PokerListings.com Team, Oscarsson’s death was reported as tragic. “He was a great source of inspiration and energy to anyone he encountered - at least if you were on the same side of the fence (for those on the other side of the fence, he was a tough negotiator and a worthy, highly respected opponent). Andreas was a very general person to those close to him, a brilliant internet marketing guru and a savvy business entrepreneur - always looking to break new ground, and break new records… Those of us who knew him well would say that most of all he was a warm and loving father.”

In a rare moment of collective sentiment, the poker industry has come together to send condolences to the PokerListings team, wish peace to Oscarsson’s family and friends, and hope for a speedy resolution to the case. The PokerWorks Team wishes the same.