The winner of a lottery prize of almost $34 million in Brazil‘S died mysteriously just weeks after becoming wealthy.
Antônio Siqueira, 73, was undergoing a dental implant procedure at a clinic in the city of Cuiabá on Wednesday morning when he went into cardiac arrest, his family told Brazilian news channel G1.
The father-of-four was found lying on the floor and had no vital signs for more than 30 minutes before paramedics arrived and rushed him to Júlio Müller University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Mato Grosso Civilian Police Chief Edison Pick said authorities were waiting for the results of an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
A report from Mato Grosso’s civil police revealed that Siqueira had been diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes.
Clinic records showed he had been receiving dental treatment since last week.
Investigators have asked to speak to the dentist who treated Siqueira and other people who were present at the time.
“The investigation is still ongoing and what we can say is that as of now there is no confirmation that the death is in any way related to the Mega-Sena prize,” Pick said.
Antônio Siqueira, 73, was undergoing a dental implant procedure at a clinic in the city of Cuiabá on Wednesday morning when he went into cardiac arrest, his family said
The jackpot, just over $33 million, is one of the 10 largest in the history of the Mega-Sena lottery
The owner of the store where the winning ticket was purchased said Siqueira came by every week to play the lottery and joked that one day he would win the big jackpot.
Siqueira made headlines on November 9 as the sole winner of a 201 million real (approximately $33 million) prize in the Mega-Sena lottery.
The livestock farmer treated himself to dental treatment and planned to buy a new house with the profits.
Family friends told O Globo newspaper that Siqueira said he was still deciding what to do with his newfound wealth.
Yesser Dahrouge, owner of the store where the winning ticket was sold, told G1 that Siqueira came by every week to participate in the lottery.
Siqueira often joked that he would one day win the Mega-Sena.
Instead of selecting his own lottery numbers, Siqueira opted for a random selection and paid 5 reals (about 82 cents) for the ticket, the store owner recalled.
“It’s very sad, everyone dreams of making that kind of money,” Dahrouge said.
“Too bad he can’t enjoy it.”
The jackpot was one of the 10 largest in Mega-Sena history.