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Joshua Winslet’s Lottery Fortune Spiraled Into Fatal Substance Abuse

Nearly three years after his death, Winslet’s story underscores the perils of sudden wealth for those lacking adequate support.

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Overview

  • At 22, Winslet, who suffered from Duane and Goldenhar syndromes, claimed a $22 million Powerball prize after having just $19 in his bank account.
  • He used a parent-managed trust to acquire investment properties in Australia and New Zealand.
  • Friends say he soon became immersed in a drug-fueled lifestyle and attracted associates seeking access to his supply.
  • In 2020, police raided his Adelaide home, confiscating MDMA, cocaine, a firearm and ammunition and securing drug and weapons convictions.
  • Winslet died at home in late 2022 from health complications linked to chronic drug use despite friends’ warnings.