NC Powerball winner has yet to claim prize

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - The lucky owner of a winning Powerball ticket purchased in Brunswick County has yet to claim their prize.

N.C. Education Lottery officials say they were contacted Friday by an attorney representing the winner and were informed that no immediate claim of the prize is planned.

"We won't know who has the winning ticket until it is brought to lottery headquarters," said Alice Garland, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. "We hope anyone who has the great luck to win a prize like this will seek sound professional advice before making a claim. A win like this is truly life-changing and we should expect the person who is going through this to take the time to make the best decisions they can. We look forward to meeting the winner."

The winning ticket was sold at the Scotchman on Whiteville Road in Shallotte, NC.

A woman from Shallotte has come forward with what she believes is the winning Powerball ticket from Wednesday's drawing. A WECT reporter who spoke with 26-year-old Marie Holmes confirms the numbers and date on her ticket match those that were drawn for the $188 million payout.

"I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I saw the ticket and checked it," Holmes explained with a noticeable grin. The mother of four said she screamed after the winning numbers were drawn Wednesday night and ran and told her kids. "They said I scared them," Holmes joked.

Holmes said she was forced to quit her jobs at Walmart and McDonald's to care for her children, one of whom has cerebral palsy. She said the first thing she's going to do with the money is tithe because, as she puts it, "I wouldn't have none of it if it wasn't for God."

Holmes also plans to set up college funds for her children and buy a new house after deciding where to move. When asked if she's ready for the impact the lottery win will have on her life, Holmes offered, "I'm ready for it. I'm ready to embrace the change. I'm very grateful for what's about to happen for my family."

Holmes will confer with lawyers and speak to a financial advisor in Raleigh before turning in the ticket to North Carolina lottery officials.

Lottery officials say they were contacted Friday by an attorney representing the winner and were informed that no immediate claim of the prize is planned.

According to the N.C. Education Lottery's twitter page, the ticket is worth $188 million annuity paid over 30 years, or a $127 million lump sum payment before federal and state taxes are withheld. The store is eligible to receive $50,000 retailer incentive award for selling the winning jackpot ticket, according to the NC Education Lottery.

This will be the fourth time a North Carolina ticket has claimed a Powerball jackpot win.

The jackpot for Wednesday's drawing had climbed to an estimated $500 million. The winning numbers were 11, 13, 25, 39 and 54, with the Powerball number being 19.

The two other winning tickets were purchased in Puerto Rico and in Texas.

The size of Wednesday's Powerball jackpot passes the previous North Carolina record of $141.4 million, which was set in February 2010.

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