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Eastern Time (GMT-5:00) | Home -> Forums -> Lottery News -> $208M Lottery Winner Dies At Age 43 $208M Lottery Winner Dies At Age 43 Mega Millions: $208M Lottery Winner Dies At Age 43The Michigan man who won a $208 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot with his wife in April 2005 has died, police and a family spokesman said. But after less than a year of incredible wealth — taking home a $124.7-million lump-sum payment — Ralph Stebbins has died at age 43. Ralph Stebbins died Saturday at his home in Arcadia Township near Lapeer, Sheriff's Sgt. Andy Engster told the Times Herald of Port Huron. Kolt said that, to his knowledge, Stebbins did not have a history of heart problems and hadn't been ill. Ralph and his wife, Mary, elected to take a lump-sum payment of $124.7 million, less taxes. They could have chosen to spread $208 million in payments over 26 years. The couple used part of their winnings to buy a recreational vehicle and said they planned to buy a cow, pay off bills, and build a garage to house a 1963 Corvette. Family spokesman Robert Kolt said he was not aware that Stebbins had a history of heart problems or that he was feeling ill. "He seemed healthy and he was a very active guy," Kolt told the Detroit Free Press for a Wednesday story. "I think everybody was surprised.'' Stebbins — who before becoming a multimillionaire had worked for a well-digging company in the Port Huron area, — found himself in legal trouble earlier this month when he was arrested after a confrontation with the boyfriend of his daughter Karin, Kolt said. The charges are domestic, but the details are unclear. "Ralph loved his kids," Kolt said. "He was a very protective father." The Stebbinses were married 23 years. They have three children — Candice, 22, Karin, 19, and Todd, 17. Kolt said the Stebbinses used their fortune to help family members. They also got the farm they had wanted. But they never bought that cow. Lottery Post Staff We'd love to see your comments here! Register for a FREE membership — it takes just a few moments — and you'll be able to post comments here and on any of our forums. If you're already a member, you can Log In to post a comment. 16 comments. Last comment 5 years ago by . Tennessee United States Member #8005 October 15, 2004 11329 Posts Offline | | Posted: December 28, 2006, 9:15 pm - IP Logged | |
i could be wrong but something doesn't add up.hope foul play wasn't involved..... | | |
Coastal Georgia United States Member #2703 October 30, 2003 1867 Posts Offline | | Posted: December 28, 2006, 9:19 pm - IP Logged | |
i could be wrong but something doesn't add up.hope foul play wasn't involved..... Mike, I also hope that foul play wasn't involved, but it's unlikely that it was in a heart attack situation. What didn't add up was his cholesterol and / or blood pressure numbers, IMHO... DD | | |
Raleigh, NC United States Member #41371 June 9, 2006 70 Posts Offline | | Posted: December 29, 2006, 6:11 am - IP Logged | |
People don't usually just drop dead. Could be a long investigation there. | | |
North Brunswick NJ United States Member #39431 May 8, 2006 7542 Posts Offline | | Posted: December 29, 2006, 8:14 am - IP Logged | |
Maybe it was a delayed reaction to winning all that money!! | | |
Wandering Aimlessly United States Member #25708 November 5, 2005 4403 Posts Offline | | Posted: December 29, 2006, 2:02 pm - IP Logged | |
Sad. He was so young and had so much to look forward to in life. I'm not sure about the foul play, although I did see a mad cow driving a recreational vehicle on I-95 the other day. | | |
Portland United States Member #7399 September 27, 2004 111 Posts Offline | | Posted: December 29, 2006, 2:52 pm - IP Logged | |
What a sad story! It is more terrible when the winner died with no ill! That make me remember a advice from my mom: After winning big lottery, the back luck will come to knock the door. To make it more easy, let's give much as much possible to the need (the charities not just inside family member! That what I want to tell | | |
North Carolina (West of Charlotte) United States Member #1462 April 28, 2003 554 Posts Offline | | Posted: December 29, 2006, 3:07 pm - IP Logged | |
Sad story. Glad he did'nt choose annuity though. | | |
Raleigh, NC United States Member #41371 June 9, 2006 70 Posts Offline | | Posted: December 29, 2006, 6:13 pm - IP Logged | |
Sad story. Glad he did'nt choose annuity though. What difference would that have made? Would he still be alive? The lesson here is you can't take it with you. Whether you have it or you don't. | | |
Pennsylvania United States Member #17377 June 10, 2005 2774 Posts Offline | | Posted: December 29, 2006, 6:51 pm - IP Logged | |
My condolence to the family. Whether he was rich in fortune , he probably had greater riches in living life with the loving family. It will be that love that is missed by those who knew him. ________________________________ Wanna Make God laugh? ..Tell him your plans. | | |
United States Member #39828 May 15, 2006 287 Posts Offline | | Posted: December 29, 2006, 6:53 pm - IP Logged | |
Well, I hope he took some moola wid em on da long journey when he died. | | |
Miss Kitty georgia United States Member #14 November 9, 2001 21824 Posts Offline | | Posted: December 29, 2006, 7:08 pm - IP Logged | |
Sad story. Glad he did'nt choose annuity though. what does that have to do with anything? Man is dead - his family is alive. love to nibble those micey feet. | | |
United States Member #10921 January 23, 2005 932 Posts Offline | | Posted: December 29, 2006, 8:03 pm - IP Logged | |
I remember the day when the winner was in Port Huron, there was a big snowstorm that day in that area. I was envious that it was not me. Mental note. Written note also. If/when I win big, set some aside for cryogenic freezing. | | |
Holt MI United States Member #2283 September 4, 2003 62 Posts Offline | | Posted: December 30, 2006, 8:56 am - IP Logged | |
Yeah, this is the guy who went into the lottery and picked up the 300, 000 down payment, bought the motorhome, hit the road , and let his lawyer set up the trust fund. I hope no one got anxious waiting for "their cut". | | |
North Carolina (West of Charlotte) United States Member #1462 April 28, 2003 554 Posts Offline | | Posted: December 30, 2006, 4:23 pm - IP Logged | |
what does that have to do with anything? Man is dead - his family is alive. It does'nt have anything to do with it. Just a statement. I personally dont care for annuities. Just my opinion. | | |
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