The name Amanda Clayton might ring the bell about the American actress. However, the person we are going to talk about is mainly known as Amanda Clayton lottery winner. Despite winning the lottery, she continued collecting state welfare money.
Unfortunately, Amanda passed away in October 2012 at the age of 25. She was discovered dead at Ecorse, Michigan, southwest of Detroit. So, what caused her life to be cut short? Let’s investigate the death of Amanda with the help of this article.
Who Is Amanda Clayton Lottery Winner?
Amanda Clayton, a resident of Lincoln Park in Detroit, initially gained attention in September 2011 after taking home the $1 million jackpot on the game program Make Me Rich. Amanda was only 24 years old when she was pictured smiling broadly and holding a sizable cheque on September 11, 2011.
The young woman decided to receive her earnings in one lump sum, which came to $735,000 in total. But Clayton claimed that after taxes, she received slightly more than half of that. Indeed, Amanda Clayton lottery winning moment changed her life overnight.
Got Involved In A Fraud Case
After winning the lottery, Amanda’s popularity quickly rose. Then, in April 2012, she again made headlines after she was charged with fraud. She was charged with two felonies of welfare fraud for using food stamps even after winning the lottery.
Police detained Clayton on April 16 after news reports that she continued using her Bridge Card. As a result, she received a nine-month probation period after entering a no-contest plea. She also had to pay back nearly $5,500 in food and medical expenses. According to state law, anyone whose income changes while participating in aid programs must report those changes within ten days.
Amanda Clayton lottery winner received food stamps from 2010 to 2012. Despite working for four months in 2011, she did not notify the government of the change even though it is not apparent whether it would have impacted her eligibility for benefits.
In addition, the Detroit native made news again in August due to a quarrel over grass cuttings in the neighborhood shortly before her death. Police said Lincoln Park resident Victor Bartola was assaulted after relocating Clayton’s yard waste from his driveway to her property.
Charges of assault with a deadly weapon were brought against three people who had returned with a knife, baseball bat, and pellet pistol. However, there were no charges or arrests made against Amanda.
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Insight Into Her Death Details
Amanda Clayton lottery winner, passed away in October 2012. Police discovered her dead early on Saturday morning in Ecorse at the home of a close friend. Her body was discovered early on Saturday morning at a close friend’s house in Ecorse, where her daughter and young son were staying.
The friend, Rachel and her boyfriend were babysitting Amanda’s kids. She had visited the house on Friday night to see her kids, and her friend’s boyfriend reported that she seemed disturbed. She was in a critical phase already, and her legs were trembling.
Clayton’s pals saw her lying on the bed, cradling her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter. When the daughter started crying, Rachel went to check and flipped her, and she was already gone.
According to the Police, she died of an apparent drug overdose. As per the reports, prescribed medication reportedly caused it. Attorney Todd Flood, who defended Clayton when the attorney general’s office brought charges against her, claimed that she, like other persons who suddenly became wealthy, likely lacked the maturity to manage the lump-sum earnings. Flood told AP that although she had some money left over at the time of her death, it was far from where she started.
All in all, people need to be aware that a drug overdose can result in significant medical issues, including death. So, we must avoid such an addiction and say no to drugs. We express Amanda Clayton lottery winner our sincere condolences and wish strength to her family and friends.