Local News

Dead Pleasanton Couple's Son Is Person Of Interest

PLEASANTON (BCN) ― The son of a Pleasanton couple who were brutally slain at their home three months ago is a "person of interest" in the case, Alameda County Sheriff's Sgt. Scott Dudek said Thursday.

Dudek said detectives were interested in 29-year-old Ernie Scherer III in connection with the death of his father, Ernie Scherer Jr., 60, and his mother, Charlene Abendroth, 57.

The pair was found dead inside their Castlewood Country Club home on March 14. Detectives believe the couple had been dead about a week before they were discovered.

Dudek said, "We're asking anyone who is owed money by Ernie Scherer III to call us."

Dudek said Scherer III is a professional gambler who's known to have debts, and investigators want to determine whether his debts are small or whether they are for large sums.

Dudek said that in investigating the case, detectives "have eliminated a lot of people and all the other family members except for him."

Scherer III has not been arrested, as he is only considered a person of interest at this point rather than a suspect.

Dudek said Ernie Scherer Jr. dabbled in playing poker for small amounts of money but made his living in real estate.

In contrast, gambling was the son's sole source of income, Dudek said.

Dudek said Ernie Scherer III isn't the only person of interest in the case but he said "the list is getting smaller and smaller."

Dudek said the case is being publicized on the Web site gambling911.com because he's seeking the help of gamblers in solving the case.

The site, which is owned and operated by Costigan Media LLC, describes itself as "the most referenced website publisher covering the world of online gambling."

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