Perhaps the Virginia Lottery should reconsider naming any big winners

Should the Virginia Lottery name big winners?Photo byGiorgio TrovatoonUnsplash

Should Lottery winners' names be made public?

WFXR just revealed the name of a Roanoke man won a million dollars in the Virginia Lottery on a scratch-off ticket. It is customary for big winners to be named to validate the system, but perhaps that should be reconsidered.

Wavy News reported in 2019 that the Virginia Lottery cannot reveal information on winners of 10 million or above. This does not protect those who win lesser amounts from someone possibly trying to rob them.

A disclosure of a settlement leads to murder

Many locals today recount the cautionary tale of two Roanoke women, Brenda MaeWright and Deborah Pearl Vaughn, who were murdered. The rumor mill suggests one or both women had been bragging about getting a significant financial settlement, and The Roanoke Times shared what followed.

On Feb. 10, 2006, (James) Morrell, Goode, (Paul) Carter, and (Karington) Overstreet entered Vaughn’s home at Tinker Creek Manor Apartments with the intent to rob her of a rumored disability settlement. When the money could not be found, the two women were tortured and murdered.