Man found dead with winning lottery ticket in his pocket

Police believe he died in a boating accident.

A man from Michigan in the US has been found dead one week after winning a $45,000 (€38,814) jackpot. The body of 57-year-old Gregory Jarvis was discovered on a beach in Caseville, Saginew Bay on Friday. The winning ticket was in his pocket. It's been reported that Mr Jarvis had sustained injuries that were consistent with a boating accident which caused him to drown. Caseville Police Chief Kyle Romzek said: "We are thinking that he was tying up his boat, slipped and fell, hit his head and that's where he ended up in the water. No foul play suspected." Mr Romzek said that as the lottery ticket was in his pocket at the time of his death, they were initially concerned, but after further investigation, they felt confident he died in an accident. He won the prize on 13 September at the Blue Water Inn. However, in the days after winning, concerns were raised after he left the Inn and never returned. His boss even called to the Inn after Mr Jarvis didn't show up for work. He was last seen on 19 September. According to ABC12, Mr Jarvis had attempted to cash his prize, but was unable as his Social Security card - a requirement for winnings over €600 in the state of Michigan - was not in "good shape". He had subsequently applied for a new card and was waiting for it to arrive. The owner of the Inn he was staying at told reporters that Mr Jarvis was planning on using the money to go visit his family who lived in North Carolina. She also described him as a "very nice guy". The winning lottery ticket has since been given to Mr Jarvis' relatives.