07 January 2024 , 07:00
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For many, winning a lottery jackpot is a dream come true. For Gerald Muswagon, it was somewhat of a nightmare.
The 42-year-old from Manitoba, Canada won a $10million (£8m) jackpot after purchasing a $2 (£1.60) Super 7 ticket in 1998. However, soon after the huge win, his life began to spiral and it eventually resulted in suicide.
According to Globe and Mail, the winnings were spent on several flashy cars, a large home that quickly turned into a "party pad" and a number of other luxuries as he celebrated his new lavish lifestyle. Gerald also spent a lot of money on his friends, often treating them to over-the-top presents.
Not long after the win, rumours began spreading in his hometown Winnipeg that he had blown a lot of the cash on alcohol and drugs. In a single day, he reportedly purchased eight big-screen televisions to hand out to his loved ones.
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Gerald's huge lottery win soon turned into a nightmare (Getty Images/iStockphoto)According to Mike Muswagon, Gerald's cousin, the lottery winner was not given much advice from those around him in the months after the jackpot win. "He didn't have the right people around him at the time, people who could have guided him," Mike said. "A lot of people asked a lot of him."
A couple of years after receiving the £10million prize, Gerald attempted to do something useful with his money and formed his own business. He set up lumber company called Gerald's Logging, but it soon flopped due to a lack of business.
After turning back to a life of partying, Gerald soon found himself on the wrong side of the law. In October 2000, he took his new Chevy Silverado on a joyride that ended in a police chase, with the Silverado reaching a top speed of 111 mph. In court he pleaded guilty to reckless driving and was jailed for three months.
Shortly after the death of his wife a number of years later, Gerald pleaded guilty to sexual assault charges and was again sentenced to three months in prison. By this point, he had spent most of his money and upon his release was forced to work in order to support his new girlfriend and six children.
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He picked up manual labour work at a local farm but struggled with depression. "I really wanted him to be set up for life, so he never had to work another day," his cousin added. "He should have been able to do that. But he made some very bad decisions."
Tragically, seven years after his $10million jackpot win, Gerald killed himself in his parents' garage. Before his death, Gerald's lawyer suggested he struggled with adjusting to life after the jackpot win. "Unfortunately, he had a very difficult time adjusting, coming from Norway House with very little education," said Tim Valgardson.
Cousin Mike added in an interview with Lottery Post: "People are very upset, and this is all very surprising. But he had been very depressed lately, although he kept that part of him well hidden."
For emotional support in the UK you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
If in the United States, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to http://SuicidePreventionLifeline.org
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