A North Carolina woman has come forward with what she says is one of the three winning tickets in the $564 million Powerball jackpot. Marie Holmes, 26, of the town of Shallotte, told NBC affiliate WECT on Thursday that she was on her way to confer with lawyers and a financial adviser before turning in the ticket to state lottery officials.
“I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I saw the ticket and checked it,” she said. Holmes told the station that she was forced to quit her jobs at Wal-Mart and McDonald’s to care for her four children, one of whom has cerebral palsy. She said that she plans to give to her church, buy a new house and set up college funds for the kids.
Before taxes, the winning ticket would be worth $188 million paid over 30 years or $127 million if the winner chose to take it in a single payment. Lottery officials say the other winning tickets were sold in Texas and Puerto Rico. Holmes is the first person to come forward and claim to have matched the winning numbers.
IN-DEPTH
- $564 Million Powerball Winners Sold in Texas, North Carolina and Puerto Rico
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- Brother Keeps Powerball Promise