Winner of $1.765 billion Powerball jackpot described as 65-year-old who 'adores his grandchildren'
After the California Lottery revealed who won the second largest Powerball jackpot of $1.765 billion, his neighbors have come forward to congratulate him.
Theodorus Struyck, 65, who goes by Theo, is one of the Powerball winners whose identity was disclosed. Struyck was a part of a group of winners who bought a ticket at Midway Market in Frazier Park, about 47 miles south of Bakersfield.
While living in the quiet mountainside town, Struyck enjoyed fishing and had a small boat parked outside his garage, his neighbors told media outlets including KGET and the Daily Mail.
Neighbor Mary Dreier told KGET Struyck "adores his grandchildren" and is "just really pleasant to have around."
But as more people find out who won the grand prize, Dreier said he put up a sign in front of his house: No trespassing.
$1.765 billion Powerball jackpot:Winners revealed in California
In California, the lottery does not allow winners to claim any prize anonymously. Other members who won have not come forward yet, but Struyck revealed his identity, the lottery said.
As for what took so long to claim the October 2023 win, residents are left wondering.
“I thought for a while we were going to go down as the dumbest town on earth,” Jonathan Mathews told KGET. “Speaking frankly. Just to lose a ticket like that – I could only imagine.”
'Couldn't have happened to a better guy'
"When I hear Theo won, I thought, 'Couldn't have happened to a better guy,’" Kevin Woten, one of Struyck’s neighbors, told The Daily Mail. "He's a family man, loves to spend time with his grandkids. He adores the kids. He's a really kind person and always seems happy. I imagine he's got a lot of ideas of what he wants to do with the money."
Woten, who has lived in Frazier Park for over 20 years, told the news outlet that he has not seen Struyck for several days.
Other people who know Struyck told the news outlet that he has a son in the U.S. Marines who is based in San Diego, where the jackpot ticket was cashed.
A Daily Mail photograph showed a "no trespassing" sign on his property.
Midway Market owner is glad to know the jackpot winner
Nidal "Andy" Khalil, the owner of Midway Market & Liquor in Frazier Park, said that Struyck is a regular customer and visits the store at least two to three times a week. Struyck visited the convenience store on Thursday, but Khalil did not get a chance to congratulate him.
"I was sure someone local had bought the ticket, and I'm so glad it was," Khalil told The Daily Mail.
After learning that the ticket was purchased at his store, Khalil got a little worried when no one claimed it for five months.
"I'm very happy that someone finally claimed the winnings because I thought the ticket might've been lost or the winner washed it in their laundry," Khalil said. "I don't get too many customers from out of town, so I thought it would be someone local."
How to play Powerball
In order to purchase a $2 Powerball ticket, you'll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store - and in a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online.
To play, you will need to pick six numbers in total to mark on your ticket. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from numbers 1 to 69. The Powerball is red and one number which is between 1 and 26.
If you want to increase your chances of winning, you can add a “Power Play” for $1 which increases the winnings for all non-jackpot prizes. This addition can multiply winnings by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X.
Players can also ask a cashier for a "Quick Pick" where a cashier will give you computer-generated numbers on a printed Powerball ticket.
Drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. If there's no jackpot winner, the cash prize will increase by millions.
When is the next Powerball drawing?
The next Powerball drawing is on March 20. The estimated jackpot is worth $687 million. If there is a winner after Wednesday's drawing and they choose the cash option, they could take home $327.3 million, according to the lottery.
What are the odds of winning the Powerball?
The odds of winning a Powerball jackpot are one in 292.2 million, according to the lottery.
The overall odds of winning a Powerball prize are roughly one in 24.9.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
