The $1.765 billion American Powerball winner has finally come forward, five months after the jaw-dropping draw.
The draw, the second-largest in the game’s history, unclaimed since October 11, 2023 is equivalent to $AU2.69 billion.
Theodorus Struyck, 65, was finally identified as the representative for the group who purchased the winning ticket at a store in Frazier Park, California.
Local laws give winner’s one year to come forward to claim their prize, but they also require the jackpot winner’s name to be released when they do.
The October 11 drawing was the 36th draw for that Powerball sequence, which allowed the California Lottery to raise an additional $119.5 million for public schools.
“Announcing big wins like this gives all of our players the chance to hope and dream that they could be next,” said California Lottery Director Harjinder K. Shergill Chima.
“But it also gives us an opportunity to shine the spotlight on our terrific mission, which is to generate additional, supplemental funding for public education in California. So, it’s students of all ages across the state, who win everyday thanks to our players, our retail partners who sell these fun games, and our hard-working staff here at the Lottery. This is an exciting day for all of us!”
