On August 3rd, PokerListings founder Andreas Oscarsson was found murdered in Trollhättan, Sweden. Two months later, police are investigating the incident as a “contract killing,” according to the Swedish news outlet Sveriges Radio.
Recently, Oscarsson’s father appeared on a television program to seek justice. At the same time, an outpouring of support has come from around the world, as Sveriges Radio noted that acquaintances from his childhood, college days, and the business world characterized him as a “very well-liked, popular, generous, cheerful, and very multifaceted person.”
An article that appeared in Bluff Europe shortly after the August murder raised the possibility of a hired gun: “Whilst details/sources still remain uncertain, word is out that a 20 year-old man by the name of Andreas Oscarsson was shot down last year in the exact same town in Sweden.” It was believed that the wrong Oscarsson was killed, leading to the August murder.
The appearance on the TV3 program was designed to encourage “more people… to contribute tips to the police [solve] the murder.” Oscarsson’s father appeared with what the media outlet described as a “distorted voice” and was unable to be viewed clearly on camera, presumably to protect his own identity. Oscarsson was at his father’s house at the time of the killing, which happened overnight. The assailants entered and exited his bedroom through an open window and police initially questioned Oscarsson’s two year-old son, who may have been awake at the time of the murder. The show in question was identified by the news outlet as “Wanted” and is likely similar to “America’s Most Wanted,” which airs on Fox in the United States.
The child is now back in the United States with his mother, who lived the New York City borough of SoHo at the time of the murder. While it was originally not released where Oscarsson was shot or how many times he was hit, the Swedish news outlet revealed that he was struck six times by “a gun with a silencer.” Neither his father nor others in what Sveriges Radio described as a “densely populated area” heard gunfire, leading to the theory that a silencer was used. He was found shot to death on August 3rd in his bed. Oscarsson was not involved in the day-to-day duties of PokerListings at the time, having stepped away from his role when his child was born two years ago.
The news took many in the industry by surprise, including posters on the popular TwoPlusTwo online poker forum. One member, who lives nearby, explained, “Police have been talking on the radio about it saying that it’s quite probably [something] from his past that has caught up to him in this unfortunate way. I had no idea that he founded PokerListings though.” Many expressed condolences to the family, especially to his two year-old son.
PokerListings is a clearinghouse for poker bonuses, reviews, and live tournament reporting. Its staff is fresh off covering the European Poker Tour’s (EPT) London stop, which saw Aaron Gustavson defeat reigning World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champion Peter Eastgate heads-up, winning £850,000. A statement posted on PokerListings shortly after its founder’s murder lamented, “Andreas was a very generous 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.”
We would once again like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Oscarsson. Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for the latest on this developing story.