Suicide of Poker Player Brandi Hawbaker Confirmed

Lance Bradley | April 18, 2008 at 2:29 am

Brandi Hawbaker, who first captured the attention of the poker world with a 35th place finish at the Festa Al Lago V in October, 2006 has passed away. According to various reports Hawbaker committed suicide Sunday.

Word of the 26-year olds death first surfaced on WickedChopsPoker.com after a poster using the nom de plume “Bob. B. Bobson” posted the following comment on a post that was 16 months old:

“You may want to know that Brandi Hawbaker (of semi-recent poker drama) died earlier this week. She was 26 years old.

I do not know any more than that, including how she died or any circumstances of her death, or even if there is a funeral planned. Even if I did know, it’s nobody’s business but her family and friends.”

WickedChopsPoker attempted to verify the claim by asking for anybody with further information to contact them. Less than 30 minutes later Bryan Micon, who knew Hawbaker, posted the following on NeverWinPoker.com:

“It is with great sadness that I write this story. Brandi Hawbaker to some, Naami Dea to others, took her own life on Sunday. This news has been confirmed through Brandon and Brandi’s family. Brandon, Brandi’s family, and friends have asked the poker world to respect their privacy while they grieve. When the time is right we will have Brandon’s statement on NWP. This truly is a tragedy, as the whole poker world loved to watch this eccentric young lady on and off the felt. Brandi will be missed and I hope she has found some peace.”

Hawbaker’s poker career included only $40,000 in tournament winnings but she was better known as a central figure in a number of drama-filled episodes on various internet forums.

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