Powerball Winner • MA • 2017
Jackpot (2024$)
$965,000,000
lump sum
Age at Win
53
Hospital worker at Mercy Medical Center (32 years)
William E. Wanczyk, retired Northampton firefighter, killed in Amherst, MA. This mortality salience likely influenced conservative approach to windfall 9 months later.
Winning numbers 06-07-16-23-26 PB:04 (family birthdays + Keno number). Discovered while leaving 32-year job with colleague Rob.
MA Lottery erroneously announces ticket sold in Watertown (Boston suburb). Media swarms wrong location for hours. Gives Wanczyk critical privacy window.
Wanczyk calls Mercy Medical Center: I will not be coming back. Immediate/Total severance after 32 years of service.
Massachusetts law requires public disclosure. Single appearance provides biometric/biographical data that fuels scam ecosystem. Last verified media appearance.
Chicopee Police establish visible security around residence. Transition from neighbor to asset.
Fake Mavis Wanczyk accounts flood Facebook, Instagram, Twitter within days. 419 advance-fee fraud using her name and press conference photos.
Security blogs still warning about Mavis Wanczyk scams in 2025. Fake Richard Lord/Dr. Lord spellcaster narratives. 10/10 Scam Index - her digital identity permanently hijacked.
"Hey, I have that number. And I have that -- I have that!"
"I called and told them I will not be coming back."
"My pipe dream came true."
"I want to stay at my own house in my own peace and quiet."
"I just want to sit back and relax."
"The buck stops with me."
"I'm going to go hide in my bed."
"I just wanted to do this, I wanted to just get it over done with, and then everybody would just leave me alone."
"I can't say I'm the poorest person in the world, I make do with what I have."
"I just plan on paying it off."
Wanczyk was leaving work at Mercy Medical Center on August 23 evening with colleague Rob (a firefighter). While discussing the Powerball drawing, she checked her ticket: "Hey, I have that number. And I have that -- I have that!" Numbers were family birthdays plus lucky Keno number 4. The next morning, she called Mercy Medical Center: "I will not be coming back." 32 years of service terminated in one phone call. WATERTOWN MISTAKE: MA Lottery initially announced wrong store location in Boston suburb, sending media to wrong place - giving Wanczyk critical privacy window.