We all think winning lottery is best thing it can happen in our lives. It makes us instantly richer, happier, wealthier and social recognition. But, lot of us forget darker side of success, following are the lottery success stories which ended in disaster.
Michigan, $3.1 million
Prior to 1989, Willie Hurt was a happily married family man who was fairly well known in his community. But all that changed when he won $3.1 million in the Michigan Lottery. Within two years, Hurt separated from his wife, lost custody of his children, blew through his fortune, and was charged with attempted murder. His lawyer claimed all the money went toward Hurt’s messy divorce and his crack cocaine addiction.
Virginia, $4.2 million
In 1993, Suzanne Mullins struck it big when she won $4.2 million after matching all six numbers in the Virginia Lottery. The kind-hearted woman planned on splitting the 20 annual payments of $47,800 with her husband and daughter. However, within five years, Mullins found herself in dire straights when her bills began to pile up. Desperate for cash, she resorted to a loan from a financial foundation. Eleven years after winning, Mullins now owes $154,146.50 in defaulted loan payments. She blamed the debt on the lengthy illness of her uninsured son-in-law, who needed $1 million for medical bills
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New Jersey, $5.4 million
Everyone knows the odds of winning the lottery once are astronomical. But Evelyn Adams beat those odds -- twice. The New Jersey resident hit the jackpot in 1985 and 1986 to the sum of $5.4 million. Twenty years later, Adams is broke and living in a trailer -- the result of spending sprees and heavy gambling.
"Everybody wanted my money. Everybody had their hand out. I never learned one simple word in the English language -- 'No.' I wish I had the chance to do it all over again. I'd be much smarter about it now," Adams once revealed.
Florida, $13 million
Florida couple Alex and Rhoda Toth hit the jackpot in 1990 when they won $13 million in the Florida Lottery. But, by 2006, they were living in squalid conditions, their only electricity coming from a power cord that was rigged up to their car engine. Alex died while awaiting trial for tax evasion. Rhoda tried to dodge the Feds by claiming she was too ill to stand trial. Unfortunately, for her, agents videotaped her moving around without the aid of crutches or a wheelchair. She was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay $1.1 million to the IRS.
Pennsylvania, $16.2 million
The story of William “Bud” Post reads like a Hollywood script. His mother died when he was eight years old, and his father sent him to an orphanage shortly after the funeral. Post spent most of his life as a drifter until the fateful day in 1988 when he bought a Pennsylvania Lottery ticket and landed the $16.2 million jackpot. However, within months, Post was broke, having spent massive amounts of money on houses, cars, boats, shady business deals, and a twin-engine airplane (even though he had no pilot’s license). Post died penniless in 2006 of respiratory failure. "I was much happier when I was broke," he once confided.
Missouri, $18 million
Sometimes, even good intentions can get wildly out of hand -- as was the case for Janite Lee who landed an $18 million payout from the Missouri Lottery back in 1993. The South Korean immigrant immediately began to contribute chunks of her wealth to various educational programs, community services and political organizations. She even dined with Bill Clinton, Al Gore and South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung. But within eight years of winning, the well ran dry, and Lee was forced to file for bankruptcy with a paltry $700 left in her account.
Illinois, $20 million
Think your in-laws are a pain in the ass? Consider the case of Jeffrey Dampier who won $20 million in the Illinois Lottery in 1986. Upon receiving his prize, the generous winner immediately began showering friends and family with expensive gifts, including cars, houses and trips to exotic places. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough for Dampier’s sister-in-law, Victoria Jackson. On the night of July 26, 2005, Jackson and her boyfriend, Nathaniel Jackson (not related), kidnapped the millionaire and shot him once in the back of the head, killing him instantly -- jealousy was deemed the motive. Both were charged with Dampier’s murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Texas, $31 million
As a religious man, Billie Bob Harrell, Jr. never lost faith that the good Lord would look over him. That conviction paid off when he hit the Texas Lottery in June of 1997. The family man walked away with $31 million and immediately began helping others with his newfound fortune. He gave to family, friends and his church -- but it didn’t take long for the money to run out and financial strain to set in. Twenty months after becoming a millionaire, Harrell locked himself in his bedroom, pressed a shotgun to his chest and pulled the trigger. Shortly before his death, Harrell confided to a financial adviser: "Winning the lottery is the worst thing that ever happened to me."
Michigan, $208 million
When Ralph Stebbins and his wife Mary won $208 million in the Mega Millions Lottery in 2005, they planned to do what any sensible couple would do: pay off their bills, buy a farm, invest in a cow, and live comfortably for the rest of their lives (Well, maybe most people wouldn’t opt for the cow, but you get the gist of the story). However, within 20 months of winning, Stebbins was charged with attempted murder and possession of a dangerous weapon for stabbing his daughter’s boyfriend with a knife. Less than two months later, Ralph died of heart failure at the age of 43.
When Jack Whittaker hit the Powerball Lottery on December 25, 2002, he believed the hand of God had intervened -- after all, it was on Christmas Day. But shortly after collecting his lump sum award of $114 million, Whittaker was arrested for drunk driving. A few months later, thieves broke into his car and stole $545,000 that the 55 year old liked to carry with him in a briefcase. A year after claiming his prize, Whittaker was arrested for threatening the life of a bar manager. And by the end of the year, his 17-year-old granddaughter, Brandi Bragg, was found dead in Whittaker’s home, of an apparent drug overdose. Whittaker’s daughter Ginger Whittaker Bragg was also found dead in her home on July 5, 2009. Toxicology reports are pending.
