A woman who bought the winning $26 million SuperLotto Plus ticket said she accidentally destroyed it in the laundry.
The identity of the woman was not released. The manager of the Arco AM/PM convenience store located in Norwalk, Calif. where the ticket was purchased nearly six months ago said the woman was captured on the store’s surveillance video and she’s known to store workers, according to KTLA.
The store manager said the woman came into the store and said she had bought the ticket put it in her pocket and it was destroyed in the washer.
A copy of the surveillance video was turned over to California Lottery officials, but that is not enough. To claim her prize, she must provide substantial evidence she owned the ticket such as a photo or photocopy of the front and back of the ticket.
Thursday was the last day to redeem the ticket for the prize. The woman’s claim will be investigated, lottery spokeswoman Cathy Johnston said.
The $26 million prize can be taken in annual installments or as a $19.7 million cash option. If the prize isn’t claimed, the $19.7 million will go to California public schools.The store that sold the ticket will receive a $130,000 bonus.
