July 7, 2009
Nation’s $300 Million Dollar Powerball Winner Endures More Tragedy
Daughter Found Dead Near Beckley
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – When you hear someone say "‘money can’t buy happiness," consider the life of Jack Whittaker and his family. He won more than $300 million dollars in a Christmas Day 2002 Powerball drawing.
However, his family has endured harsh tragedies since winning the multimillion dollar jackpot.
Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department officials found Ginger Whittaker Bragg, 42, dead in her Glade Springs home on Sunday July 5. Her death comes almost two years to the day from when she was rushed to the hospital apparently under the influence of alcohol or another drug. According to a 2006 report in the Beckley Register-Herald cocaine and a handgun were found on her property.
At this time, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department does not suspect foul play. The body has been sent to the State Medical Examiner’s office.
Ginger’s daughter, Brandi Bragg, died of a drug overdose five years ago when her boyfriend found her dead in her grandfather’s home.
The Powerball winner, born in 1947 in Jumping Branch, Summers County, WV, has experienced other troubles too, ranging from robbed of cash at a strip bar, driving under the influence, and lawsuits over business failures, such as the Pizza Uno franchise in Charleston, Teays Valley and Huntington. He is the owner of a Putnam County contracting business.
At the time of his winning of the $315 million dollar jackpot, his was the largest payout on a single lottery ticket in history.
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Nation’s $300 Million Dollar Powerball Winner Endures More Tragedy
Daughter Found Dead Near Beckley
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – When you hear someone say "‘money can’t buy happiness," consider the life of Jack Whittaker and his family. He won more than $300 million dollars in a Christmas Day 2002 Powerball drawing.
However, his family has endured harsh tragedies since winning the multimillion dollar jackpot.
Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department officials found Ginger Whittaker Bragg, 42, dead in her Glade Springs home on Sunday July 5. Her death comes almost two years to the day from when she was rushed to the hospital apparently under the influence of alcohol or another drug. According to a 2006 report in the Beckley Register-Herald cocaine and a handgun were found on her property.
At this time, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department does not suspect foul play. The body has been sent to the State Medical Examiner’s office.
Ginger’s daughter, Brandi Bragg, died of a drug overdose five years ago when her boyfriend found her dead in her grandfather’s home.
The Powerball winner, born in 1947 in Jumping Branch, Summers County, WV, has experienced other troubles too, ranging from robbed of cash at a strip bar, driving under the influence, and lawsuits over business failures, such as the Pizza Uno franchise in Charleston, Teays Valley and Huntington. He is the owner of a Putnam County contracting business.
At the time of his winning of the $315 million dollar jackpot, his was the largest payout on a single lottery ticket in history.
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