Theresa Lynchosky, 63, of Rochester Hills, Michigan, claimed a $1 million Powerball prize just hours before her winning ticket was set to expire, the Michigan Lottery announced on July 15, 2026.

The winning numbers from the July 14, 2025, Powerball drawing were 8, 12, 45, 46, and 63, according to the Michigan Lottery.

How did she win?

Lynchosky matched all five white balls in the July 14, 2025, Powerball drawing, earning the game's fixed second-tier prize of $1 million, according to the Michigan Lottery. She purchased the winning play online through her Michigan Lottery account, according to the Michigan Lottery.

Why did she wait nearly a year to claim?

Lynchosky said she learned she had won the day after the drawing when a notification appeared in her online lottery account, but chose to hold off on claiming for personal reasons. She did not tell anyone about the win until the final week before the deadline, when she told her best friend.

What happens to unclaimed prizes in Michigan?

Powerball tickets are valid for exactly one year from the draw date, according to the Michigan Lottery. In Michigan, any prize not claimed before that deadline is transferred to the state School Aid Fund, which supports public education, according to ClickOnDetroit.

What are the odds of winning the Match 5 prize?

The odds of matching all five white balls without the Powerball are approximately 1 in 11.7 million, according to Powerball. That is far better than the jackpot odds of 1 in 292,201,338, but still a rare outcome. For a plain-language breakdown of every prize tier, see the WonYet odds guide.

What does she plan to do with the money?

Lynchosky told lottery officials she plans to put the prize money in savings, according to the Michigan Lottery.

How long do lottery winners have to claim prizes in other states?

Claim windows vary significantly by state and game, ranging from 90 days to one year or more after the draw date. The guide at WonYet's claiming page covers the rules for all 50 states. Missing a deadline means the prize is gone permanently: a ticket is only valid for the single draw date printed on it, and that validity has a hard end date.

How do I know if an old ticket is still worth something?

The fastest way is to run the numbers through the WonYet Powerball checker or check the full results archive. If you have an older ticket from any game, the WonYet guide on old tickets explains how to verify it and how to calculate your remaining claim window.

Sources: Detroit News, July 18, 2026 · ClickOnDetroit, July 16, 2026 · Michigan Lottery Connect, July 15, 2026 · Hoodline, July 2026

Always verify your results through official lottery channels before claiming any prize. WonYet is not affiliated with Powerball, Mega Millions, or any lottery organization. · All lottery names and marks are trademarks of their respective owners.