Who has the most tragic lottery story?

Reply #24

Stack47 — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 04:59:19 GMT

Almost makes one think they should put disclaimers on all lottery tickets; Caution, winning the lottery may be hazardous to your mental and/or physical health .

Reply #23

Teddi — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 02:44:33 GMT

It was Victoria Zell, but I don't feel sorry for her. I feel sorry for her friend who died so horribly and the other friend who had her back broken in that same accident.

I also don't feel sorry for her because she knew what she was doing and she opted to do it. She's educated enough to know better. Nothing makes you a safer driver than working in a hospital and seeing accident victims brought in. It's bad enough that she chose to get high. It's much worse that she instigated who can drive t... [ More ]

Reply #22

RL-RANDOMLOGIC — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 01:24:55 GMT

I voted other, what is tragic is focusing on a hand full of horror stories while thousands of people have

bettered their life with a win. So what if a person dies broke, you can't take it with you. As far as those

who were not able to say no all I have to say is if you hope to win someday, start practicing in front of a

mirror now and never feel you have to give a reason. Some will think you cold and or cruel but so be it.

A friend who ask for money is not a true friend, true friends... [ More ]

Reply #21

sully16 — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 23:18:20 GMT

I voted for Urooj, cyanide is a terrible way to die.

Reply #20

Candy-Lane — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 23:08:08 GMT

I voted Abraham Shakespeare because he was murdered for his winnings. - Can't get anymore tragic than that!

I didn't vote for the poor soul who was poisoned because he never actually got to experience what it is like to be a big, lottery winner.

Reply #19

travelintrucker — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 20:06:41 GMT

Well, I hope that these topics get people thinking about ways to protect themselves. Especially people whom aren't regulars on LP. Lots of people who win want to do great things for their families, friends, etc. Hopefully, these topics will get them planning ahead.

Reply #18

travelintrucker — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 20:02:13 GMT

You're talking about Victoria Zell. She's out of prison. But hasn't been in the news.

Reply #17

LiveInGreenBay — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 20:20:36 GMT

Interesting topic trucker...Almost makes me glad I didn't win. Yet.

Reply #16

Shelby Mustang — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 20:16:26 GMT

What about the chick who was a nurse who won ended up a meth head and got into a horrible car accident where one of her friends was ripped in half. I want to say her name was Victoria Zell or something, I know the last name was Zell

Reply #15

travelintrucker — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 17:43:32 GMT

I think most of these stories come about because of lack of counseling. Let's face it, a lot people that win or you hear interviewed on TV when the jackpot amount gets really high, don't talk about investing and leaving a legacy for their familes. They mostly talk about spending on this and that. I plan to continue my investment education after my big win.

Reply #14

travelintrucker — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 17:35:30 GMT

I completely forgot about him and I own a copy of Curse of the Lottery. What puzzles me about him and other winners like him is, you have all the money in the world. Why don't you just leave and go some place where most people don't know you. I don't think he should have killed himself. However, I guess you're driven to that point when you lose what's most precious to you. If my memory serves me correctly, according to COTL , he started screwing around with a woman working at a pharmacy.... [ More ]

Reply #13

music* — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 15:41:26 GMT

Here is a quote from Andrew Jackson Jack Whittaker, If I had to do it all over again I would have been more secluded about it.

Once you start giving it away there is no stopping it. Everyone has their hands out and I mean everyone.

Relations are the worst. They never pay back loans and they even file bankruptcy.

Stick with the $14,000.00 tax rule. I hope that it is raised to $15,000.00 in the New Year.

Reply #12

music* — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 15:31:35 GMT

travelintrucker, I have read a paperback book titled, UNLUCKY NUMBERS written by Deborah Mathis with Gregory Todd Smith. I am glad that I purchased it.

Abraham Shakespeare could have moved, purchased tutors, asked for counseling from many sources and the wonders that should have been his was lost.

When I win I will learn from winners past mistakes.

Reply #11

music* — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 15:23:20 GMT

mikeintexas, As a winner my own bad habits and lack of self-control would turn my life up side down and hellish. I would find out real quick how the two letter word NO worked on others as well as myself.

The Federal Reserve will announce today that they will raise Interest rates. That is good news for us who plan on investing in CDARS. Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service. Just look up CDARS.com for further info.

Billie Bob Harrell Jr.'s last words to his Financial Planner was... [ More ]

Reply #10

savagegoose — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 11:57:05 GMT

shakes spear has to be my vote, poor sap. he was rich, he didnt need people to like him. closely followed by the poisoned guy, even your family is dangerous! im beginning to think , just buy a reasonable car , and pretend to go to work every day, and just spend the time at the track, or what ever floats my boat.

Reply #9

mikeintexas — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 05:16:53 GMT

I voted Other . For me, Billie Bob Harrell Jr. from Texas is the most tragic. A former preacher, he won $31 million in June of '97. He bought a small ranch, several homes and cars for family members and made large contributions to his church. If anyone needed help, he was there to help but eventually became overwhelmed by all the requests and he found his life spiraling out of control and due to the stress, his marriage unravelled. He killed himself not but 20 months after winning the lottery.... [ More ]

Reply #8

travelintrucker — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 05:02:32 GMT

I didn't know about Shakespeare's early life.

Reply #7

music* — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 01:40:49 GMT

with dr65 and Holikau. Abraham Shakespeare was robbed and cheated out of a good education.

When he was young there should have been someone to care for him and his future.

There is plenty of blame to go around.

He is not the only lottery winner with a bad education. Sure, the middle class support the lottery but it is cases like Abraham Lee Shakespeare that puts the spot light on our country. We should all be ashamed that he slipped through the cracks and was murdered too early in

Reply #6

travelintrucker — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 00:26:18 GMT

Yeah, that sucks! You can't paper play the lottery. However, I'd say the odds are in their favor to win again.

Reply #5

DELotteryPlyr — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 21:54:41 GMT

Yea that REALLY SUCKS!! How much was the jackpot and did anyone else hit (would he have had to share the jackpot

Reply #4

dr65 — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 21:25:26 GMT

Abraham must've had very bad days and nights. I think he was generous and naive but

even with a compassionate, giving nature he had to have times where he wished he could

say no and make everyone who wanted money go away. I voted for him.

Reply #3

SergeM — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 19:29:32 GMT

There was somebody posting for Powerball in a forum competition. He got them all right and did not play in real. Do you know worse than that

Reply #2

HoLeeKau — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:29:43 GMT

Is stupidity tragic? Hmmm, maybe it is but I say no. So I voted for Shakespear also.

I just saw his story on an old true crime show rerun. Maybe it was Snapped. They opened with an interview with Dee Dee after she was convicted, but they didn't tell the audience when the interview was. She came across as a caring, sincere, helpful person. That woman had everybody fooled. Until I saw all the police interviews and how her story kept changing I'd never have guessed she was a scamming liar. Socio... [ More ]

Reply #1

Coin Toss — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 05:10:29 GMT

I voted Abraham Shakespeare because he was killed by somebody he trusted.

The others have sad stories, too, but they brought it on themselves, especially David Lee Edwards.

Who has the most tragic lottery story?

travelintrucker — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 04:39:07 GMT

Urooj Khan - killed by cyanide poisoning the day after claiming $1 million lottery win.

Amanda Clayton - won a million dollars and kept getting food stamps. Died of drug overdose.

William Bud Post - won $16 million (technically estimated $11 million because he had to share the prize) Died penniless.

David Lee Edwards - Ex-con won $27 million in Powerball. Spent most on drugs. Died penniless.

Abraham Shakespeare - won $13 million in Florida Lotto. Spent most of it in 2 yea... [ More ]