Horrific tragedies following lottery wins in the US.

With prize money reaching millions or even billions of USD, the chance to try one's luck and change one's life is driving Americans to play the lottery en masse. However, many lottery winners have also faced tragic consequences...

1 - Jeffrey Dampier Jr.: Kidnapped and murdered

Jeffrey Dampier Jr. was kidnapped and murdered by his sister-in-law and her boyfriend - Photo: AP

According to ABC News, Jeffrey Dampier Jr. and his wife won a $20 million lottery jackpot in Illinois in 1996.

Shortly after his divorce, Dampier remarried Crystal Jackson. They moved to Tampa, Florida, where they decided to invest their lottery winnings.

In 2005, Dampier was kidnapped by his sister-in-law Victoria Jackson and her boyfriend Nathaniel Jackson. Three days later, Dampier was found dead in Nathaniel Jackson's truck, and the couple were arrested shortly afterward. Both were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder.

2 - Sandra Hayes: You become my enemy

Sandra Hayes says colleagues and friends can become enemies in an instant - Photo: AP

In 2006, Sandra Hayes was lucky enough to win a $224 million Powerball jackpot. However, she was forced to share her winnings with dozens of other colleagues.

Not only did Hayes lose a large sum of money, but people who used to be friends have now become enemies. "I had to endure their greed; they did everything they could to extort money. It's not pleasant when people who used to be close to me now just want to drag me down," Hayes said.

3 - Mack Metcalf divorced his wife and died from alcoholism.

Mack Metcalf and Virginia Merida, once a loving couple, divorced after splitting their prize money - Photo: AP

After winning $34 million in Kentucky in 2000, the once-romantic couple Mack Metcalf and Virginia Merida broke up and eventually ended their lives in two different mansions.

Mack Metcalf and Virginia Merida grew distant and quickly divorced in 2001 after being forced to split their prize money.

In 2003, Mack Metcalf died at the age of 45 from alcoholism. Later that year, Virginia Merida was also found dead in her bed under unclear circumstances.

4 - Shakespeare's body was discovered under a concrete slab.

Abraham Shakespeare, a millionaire who once worked as a gatekeeper, was swindled out of all his money and shot dead - Photo: AP

A $17 million prize in Florida in 2006 turned 47-year-old doorman Abraham Shakespeare into a millionaire overnight.

Shortly afterward, Shakespeare befriended a woman named Doris "Dee Dee" Moore, who was later accused of kidnapping and murdering Shakespeare after swindling him out of his remaining money.

In 2009, Shakespeare's body was discovered under a concrete slab; police stated that he had been shot twice in the chest beforehand but had not been reported missing. Doris Moore was convicted of murder and is serving a life sentence.

5 - Jack Whittaker went missing and his body was found wrapped in plastic.

Jack Whittaker was an alcoholic, and his niece was murdered - Photo: AP

Winning $113 million of the $315 million jackpot was the biggest Christmas present Jack Whittaker received in 2002.

But within a few years, Whittaker quickly regretted winning the prize. His construction company was constantly being sued, and he started drinking heavily.

Bragg disappeared in December 2004, and her body was found wrapped in plastic. The cause of her death was not disclosed.

6 - Urooj Khan was poisoned with cyanide.

Urooj Khan, the millionaire who was poisoned with cyanide shortly after receiving his prize - Photo: AP

Khan came to Illinois from India to pursue his "American Dream." He owned a dry cleaning business before winning the $1 million lottery in 2012.

However, not long after receiving the award, Khan was found dead. The forensic doctor concluded that Khan had been poisoned with cyanide.

There was much speculation surrounding Khan being poisoned shortly after winning the lottery, but no one was accused of killing Urooj Khan.

7 - David Edwards ended his life in poverty.

David Edwards lived a lavish lifestyle and died in poverty - Photo: AP

“A poor man’s dream come true,” Edwards exclaimed when he was one of two winners of the $295 million jackpot in 2001. He had just been fired from a telecommunications company and the 46-year-old divorced man needed the money for further surgery.

Edwards confidently stated, "I think I can manage my money with the help of financial advisors." However, he later squandered his money on beautiful houses, luxury cars, and other pleasures. Edwards was arrested and imprisoned for drug use. In 2014, at the age of 58, the former millionaire ended his life in poverty in Kentucky.

According to VNE