The son of a murdered poker pro is now a suspect in the murder.

According to media reports, investigators from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office in northern California recently searched the southern California home of Ernest Scherer III, in connection with the killings last month of his parents, Ernest Scherer Jr., 60, a professional poker player, and his wife, Charlene, 57.

The son is also a professional poker player.

Mr. and Mrs. Scherer were found dead, bloodied and in their pajamas in their home in Pleasanton, near Oakland, California, USA, on March 14, and authorities say they were beaten to death.

In addition to recently searching the younger Scherer’s residence in Brea, outside Los Angeles, California, USA, investigators also recently searched his car, a red Chevrolet Camaro convertible, media reports said.

A red Camaro was seen in the vicinity of Mr. and Mrs. Scherer’s home shortly before their bodies were discovered, media reports said.

An investigator said the slain Mr. Scherer did not have any known gambling debts, but declined to answer the same question about Scherer’s son, media reports said. =A0=A0 According to tournament records, Ernest Scherer Jr. finished in the money in six poker tournaments in his career, winning a total of $25,108, including $7,775 at an Omaha tourney at last year’s World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas.

His son was more successful at the game.

Also according to tourney records, Ernest Scherer III finished in the money in 23 poker tournaments in his career, winning a total of $298,847, including $34,362 at a Texas hold ‘em tourney at the 2006 WSOP.

Ironically, after the Scherers were murdered, son Ernest and his sister, Caroline, offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the killer.

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yahoo.com.)