Unfortunate circumstances surround the passing of a lottery winner
It is with sadness that we report the unexpected passing of Gregory Jarvis, a Michigan man who recently won a $45,000 lottery prize. Tragically, his life came to an end while still holding the winning ticket in his wallet.
Gregory Jarvis, 57, was discovered deceased next to his boat on a private beach in Saginaw Bay, according to Caseville Police Chief Kyle Romzek. Just days before his untimely demise, on September 13, 2021, Jarvis had won another Club Keno game called “The Jack.”
However, there was a hurdle in claiming his prize. Jarvis did not have his Social Security card with him, which is mandatory for lottery prizes exceeding $600 in the state of Michigan. As he made arrangements to obtain a replacement card, tragedy struck. Approximately 10 days after winning, his body was found by authorities on a beach in Saginaw Bay.
A missed opportunity to fulfill his dreams
Jarvis had big plans for his lottery winnings. He intended to use the money to visit his loved ones and make cherished memories together. In an interview with ABC12, Dawn Talasky, the owner of the Blue Water Inn where Jarvis had been staying, shared his desire to reconnect with his family.
Sadly, it was not meant to be. Talasky noticed Jarvis had been absent from the inn for an entire week, raising concerns among the staff. When Jarvis finally returned on September 22, he was unable to find his boss, leaving everyone puzzled.
A tragic accident revealed through autopsy
Two days later, a resident of Kaysville made a heartbreaking discovery. Jarvis was found next to his boat on the private beach, with the police confirming the identity of the deceased.
An autopsy revealed that Jarvis had suffered a head injury before tragically succumbing to suffocation. To add to the unfortunate sequence of events, a winning lottery ticket was found in his wallet. Concerned about the circumstances, authorities initiated an investigation to rule out any foul play. However, after a thorough examination, it was determined that his death was accidental.
Kaysville Police Chief Kyle Romzek explained, “We believe he was securing his boat, slipped and fell, hitting his head, and ended up in the water. While we were initially concerned about the lottery, the autopsy and conversations with bar customers made it clear that he was a well-liked, decent man. Foul play was ruled out.”
A small comfort for grieving loved ones
Although Jarvis is no longer with us, his family members were given the winning lottery ticket as a token of remembrance. While the loss is undeniably painful, at least the funds from the ticket can be used to honor his memory.
One of the last conversations Jarvis had at the bar before his passing was filled with joy. As bar owner Talaski recalls, “Someone mentioned that someone had just won ‘The Jack,’ and Jarvis responded with ‘Great.’ When asked if it was him, he beamed with happiness. He was a genuinely decent man and a regular visitor. With that money, he had plans to visit his sister and father in North Carolina.”
Share your condolences and thoughts
We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Jarvis’ family and friends during this difficult time. Please feel free to leave your messages of support and share any cherished memories you may have of him.
