Looking for a dead gambler

February 16, 2006 11:27 AM

Need help coming up with the name of a former Vegas gambler who was murdered in Costa Rica.

Last year I read an obit for an American gambler who was found murdered in Costa Rica. He was apparently banned from gambling in Vegas and owed some people a lot of money.

I never heard anything more about this but it has the makings of a great novel.

posted by DieHipsterDie to sports, hobbies, & recreation (5 answers total)

I can finally contribute something after eons of sucking up free knowledge.

His name was Edward J. Chopot.

Here's an article about the murder cached on Google.
posted by drew at 11:35 AM on February 16, 2006

drew has it exactly right. I'm sure the murder wasn't linked to multi-million dollar gambling debts -- not in the new Vegas. ;)
posted by Lame_username at 11:54 AM on February 16, 2006

Thanks!
posted by DieHipsterDie at 12:05 PM on February 16, 2006

It was said that there was no obvious motive. His son said that it was not a mob hit because the casinos have no mob connections anymore.

Is putting one and one together though the wrong thing to do here? It seems so obvious.
posted by DieHipsterDie at 12:10 PM on February 16, 2006

I would assume a mobster would only want a debter dead for 2 reasons. There was REALLY no way to get any money from him or to make an example out of him (hard to do from Costa Rica)

There is definately a book there but probably "Inspired by..." not "Based on..." unless your James Frey

My guess from briefly looking at the article would be that it isn't nessicary the casinos that wanted him dead but more likely REAL mobsters. Someone who owes a casino money most likely owes some other sketchy figures some money. Sketchy figures don't sue... they shot. Good luck
posted by meta x zen at 12:31 PM on February 16, 2006