Jack Wishna Found Dead in Las Vegas: Popular Music 'Dealmaker' Commits Suicide at 54, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Jack Wishna, the president and CEO of CPAmerica and an infamous music "dealmaker," was found dead in the garage of his Las Vegas home on Tuesday, Nov. 27. The 54-year-old (popularly known as a big "wheeler and dealer in the gaming industry") apparently committed suicide by carbon monoxide intoxication. Wishna was a big-name in the gambling, hotel, and leisure industry and helped introduce some legendary celebrity figures (including Michael Jackson, Donald Trump, and Wayne Newton) to the fast-paced world of Sin City.
Mike Murphy of the Clark County coroner reports that Wishna died of carbon monoxide poisoning in a vehicle in the garage of his Las Vegas home on Tuesday. Close friends and family were shocked by Wishna's sudden passing, since nothing seemed to be wrong or out-of-the-ordinary in the days leading up to his suicide.
According to Wishna's associate Dan Wilinsky, the well-known music "dealmaker" will always be remembered for orchestrating the multimillion-dollar agreement between performer Wayne Newton and the Stardust casino in Las Vegas. Wayne released in a statement that Wishna had been a "longtime friend" and that his death comes as a "tremendous surprise."
Wishna was also the man who helped to "reinvent" Michael Jackson in America after his 18 month castle-hopping expedition in Dublin, Ireland. Wishna wanted the King of Pop to headline a popular act at a Michael Jackson-themed casino - unfortunately those plans never came to light because Jackson passed away before Wishna could really get the deal going. Even so, many laud Wishna as an instrumental figure "in having the pop icon move back to the United States." Wishna was the one to greet Jackson in Las Vegas following his extended stay in Dublin - Michael Jackson biographer Randall Sullivan states, 'Michael arrived in a private jet and Wishna and his wife were there to meet him. So that tells you that Wishna was the guy in Michael's life at the time." The two remained close friends.
Wishna also partnered with many other popular celebrities including Britney Spears, Michael Flatley, Richard Branson, Mohamed al-Fayed, Tony Orlando, and Donald Trump. Wishna may be best-known for helping the multi-million dollar business mogul Trump make a name for himself on the Vegas strip. Norm Clarke wrote about Wishna's smooth and lavish ways for the ReviewJournal.com back in the 1990s - "To get Donald Trump's attention, he hired a helicopter and a photographer to capture a panoramic view of the Strip from the site where Wishna thought Trump should build his first tower in Las Vegas. It worked, and soon Wishna brought billionaires Trump and Phil Ruffin together for the deal."
Before his unfortunate passing, Wishna had been developing a social media website for musicians and their loyal fans. RockCityClub.com is a new website where "fresh meat" talent can try and get discovered, and where fans can tune in to new and up-and-coming hot beats
Wishna is survived by his wife, Donna.