Andrew Whittaker Jr., whose life became rife with setbacks and tragedy after he won a record $315 million Powerball jackpot on Christmas night in 2002, has died. The Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlor in Hinton, W.Va., confirmed the death but did not say where or when he died, or specify the cause. Mr. Whittaker, known as Jack, became an instant celebrity at 55 when he claimed what was then the largest lottery jackpot won by a single ticket in the United States. But he quickly fell victim to scandals, lawsuits and personal setbacks as he endured constant requests for money, leaving him unable to trust others. He was often quoted as saying he wished he had torn up the ticket.

Source: New York Times July 01, 2020 21:27 UTC