← Back to Database

Kimberly Claassen

Powerball Winner • MT • 2010

Jackpot (2024$)

$70,000,000

lump sum

Age at Win

55

Healthcare worker

Quick Facts

Win Date
June 23, 2010
State
MT
Winner Type
syndicate
Marital Status
divorced
Ticket Type
Quick Pick
Payment Choice
lump sum
After Tax
$15M

Timeline

*
Date unknown

Bought ticket at Town Pump, Helena

4:23 PM at Town Pump on North Montana Avenue.

*
Date unknown

Powerball draw - $96.9M split with Ohio

Numbers: 11-30-45-47-48 PB:10. Total jackpot split with 'Lucky 13 Plus One' trust in Ohio.

*
Date unknown

TORN TICKET: Kim destroys winning ticket

Checked numbers against WRONG draw date. Confirmation bias. Tore ticket into 4 pieces, threw in trash.

*
Date unknown

Joe retrieves ticket from trash

Colleague mentioned winning ticket sold at Kim's Town Pump. Joe retrieved fragments, taped together.

*
Date unknown

Claimed prize at Montana Lottery HQ

Damaged ticket validated. Cash option: $25.1M split 50/50. Each ~$7.3M net after 35% federal + 6.9% MT taxes.

*
Date unknown

Complete media silence

No scandals, no bankruptcy. Effectively disappeared back into normal life. 'Silence is the ultimate luxury.'

Analysis

Protective Factors

  • +continued_working_healthcare
  • +altruism_to_ex_husband
  • +local_community_anchoring
  • +healthcare_caregiver_psychological_profile
  • +joe_lamport_family_support_at_claim
  • +preservationist_behavior
  • +quiet_disappearance_strategy
  • +perfect_market_timing_june_2010

How They Found Out

THE TORN TICKET: Kim checked ticket against WRONG drawing date, saw no match, tore ticket into 4 pieces and threw in trash. Coworker mentioned winning ticket sold at her Town Pump. Joseph Lamport Jr. retrieved fragments from garbage and TAPED THEM TOGETHER. Lottery validated the reconstructed ticket.

Research Quality: high • Last Updated: 12/27/2024 • Years Tracked: 14
Browse All WinnersView Statistics