$22m NZ Lotto winner dies after descent into drugs
South Australian Joshua Winslet bought a Lotto ticket in 2017 while living on the South Island, working as a plumber in Alexandra.
According to a 2022 article in the NZ Herald, Winslet had been living pay cheque to pay cheque, using the last $19 in his bank account to buy a ticket. His numbers came in, and he was the sole winner of a $22 million Powerball prize.
His friends told the Daily Mail, Winslet was bullied in school because of "physical deformities". He grew up with Duane syndrome, which occurred when the eye muscles did not develop properly, and Goldenhar syndrome, which could lead to facial asymmetry. Winslet had undergone plastic surgery when he was young.
Winslet reportedly placed his millions in a trust managed by his parents, buying investment properties in Australia and New Zealand.
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However, the Daily Mail reported Winslet started using the money to buy drugs, including MDMA, cocaine, and cannabis and his home was raided by police in 2020, discovering 27.3g of MDMA, 2.27g of cocaine, and a pistol with ammunition.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including new corruption report, California protests, and Justin Baldoni's legal loss. (Source: 1News)
Court reports said he pleaded guilty to supplying MDMA and possessing a firearm without a licence. In August 2022, he was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison, with a non-parole period of 18 months. His sentence was suspended on a two-year good behaviour bond with supervision.
Photos presented to the court showed Winslet's Adelaide home had become a dilapidated drug den, with rubbish and other filth dumped around the house.
One of his friends reportedly said there were concerns for his mental health.
This morning, the Daily Mail reported Winslet died of health complications from excessive drug use while at home.
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