A Pennsylvania woman may have unknowingly given away a lottery ticket worth over $2.6 million after donating a jacket with the winning slip still inside.
Mildred Simoneriluto told ABC affiliate WPVI that she purchased a Cash 5 with Quick Cash ticket in May 2024 while grocery shopping in Murrysville, about 19 miles east of Pittsburgh. The ticket matched all five winning numbers—14, 22, 33, 35, and 38—from the May 8 draw.
Two weeks later, Simoneriluto was thrilled to learn that the ticket had won a $2,628,337 jackpot. But her excitement quickly turned to shock when she realized the ticket was missing.
She recalled placing it in the pocket of a jacket, which she had donated shortly after buying the ticket to the Vietnam Veterans of America. The nonprofit sends clothing donations around the world, making the jacket difficult—if not impossible—to track down.
“I was stupefied,” she said. “It was beyond expression—how can I get it back?”
The U.S. Sun reached out to the charity to ask whether retrieving a donated item is possible. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Lottery officials confirmed that a winning ticket matching Simoneriluto’s story was purchased at a Shop ’n Save in Murrysville. The winner has not yet come forward.
To claim any prize, the ticket must be presented either in person or by mail. The deadline to do so is May 8, 2025—one year from the drawing date. If the ticket isn’t found by then, the money will return to the state’s lottery fund, which helps support senior programs in Pennsylvania.
If Simoneriluto does recover the ticket in time, she’ll have a choice between a lump sum payout or annual installments. Most winners opt for the lump sum, which often allows for better investment options but comes with significant taxes.
Federal taxes would immediately take at least 24% of the prize, and Pennsylvania’s 3.07% state income tax would also apply. That means over $711,000 could be deducted instantly, leaving her with roughly $1.9 million—possibly less, depending on other tax factors.
Still, for the cost of a lottery ticket, the prize would be life-changing—if she can find it.
Simoneriluto isn’t the only one hoping a winner steps forward. Across the country, other large prizes remain unclaimed, including a $526.5 million Powerball ticket in California and a $50,000 ticket in Indiana.
