$208M Lottery Winner Dies At Age 43

Dec 28, 2006, 8:48 pm (16 comments)

Mega Millions

The 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

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LOTTOMIKE's avatarLOTTOMIKE

i could be wrong but something doesn't add up.hope foul play wasn't involved.....

DoubleDown

Quote: Originally posted by LOTTOMIKE on Dec 28, 2006

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

nc6string

People don't usually just drop dead.  Could be a long investigation there.

ochoop17

Maybe it was a delayed reaction to winning all that money!!

justxploring's avatarjustxploring

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.

nomoneybabe

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

Pick3forSC's avatarPick3forSC

Sad story. Glad he did'nt choose annuity though.

nc6string

Quote: Originally posted by Pick3forSC on Dec 29, 2006

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.

TheGameGrl's avatarTheGameGrl

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.

Jimiam's avatarJimiam

Well, I hope he took some moola wid em on da long journey when he died.

emilyg's avataremilyg

Quote: Originally posted by Pick3forSC on Dec 29, 2006

Sad story. Glad he did'nt choose annuity though.

what does that have to do with anything?  Man is dead - his family is alive.

LckyLary

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.

liberal47's avatarliberal47

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".

Pick3forSC's avatarPick3forSC

Quote: Originally posted by emilyg on Dec 29, 2006

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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