The sister of National Lottery winner Michael Carroll has unfortunately died after suffering a cardiac arrest.
In 2002, the former Norfolk bin-man rose to nationwide fame after winning a staggering £9.7 million on the National Lottery when he was just 19-years-old.
The first thing he did upon winning was give £1 million to his mum, his aunt and his sister, Zoe Carroll.
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But the news of Zoe's untimely death at the age of 43 has been announced, with an inquest into her death being opened by police last Friday.
Michael’s sister, a mum-of-four, was sadly found dead at her property in Kings’s Lynn on May 4 of this year.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover the cost of Zoe’s funeral by Ellie Skipper.
In the details, a person called Jay Pe has written: “I’ve made this GoFundMe in hopes to gather some funds together to help the family pay for the funeral of our amazing friend Zoe Carroll, who has very sadly and unexpectedly passed away.”
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They stated that the recent death has 'upset us all as a community' and will 'leave a big hole' in her family and friends’ hearts.
“You won’t ever meet anyone as Kind, Caring, Funny, Outspoken and True as what Zoe was. She was the life and soul at events and party’s. Always pulling some sort of trick, prank or tape out of her bag!”
It’s said that Zoe 'could lighten the mood in any situation and make you feel as though you’re on top of the world, she was so supportive'.
“Not only was Zoe a mother, She was a daughter, a sister, a best friend to multiple people and she was friends with the whole town,” they continued.
“It’s safe to say she will deeply be missed by everyone and her space will never be filled.”
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The fund page concludes by urging 'anyone who knew Zoe' to give this 'legend' the send off she 'truly deserves'.
At the time of writing, £700 of a £1,000 target has been raised via 37 separate donations.
One generous contributor wrote: “Devastated, you kids know how much I thought of your mum, she saw me (sic) through terrible times in my life, you have my number. All my love sweeties.”
Another said: “Sleep tight beautiful Zoe,” while a third wrote: “Wanted to get a round number gunna share the s**t out of it for a final push.”
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While you may be unfamiliar with Zoe herself, her younger brother, Michael - AKA the ‘Lotto lout’ - became a nationwide figure from his lottery win, soon becoming known for his wild lifestyle consisting of sex, booze and drug-fuelled parties.
But four years after his big win, Michael was jailed for nine months for affray.
By 2019, the 'Lotto lout' had blown all his cash and declared bankruptcy, resorting to him swapping his hedonistic party lifestyle to deliver coal and logs in Moray.
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In 2021, it was reported that the former lottery winner and his ex-wife had reconciled and remarried in a small ceremony.
But it seems Michael has no regrets, as speaking about blowing his cash, the ‘Rangers-Daft’ man said: “It didn’t go wrong – it was the best 10 years of my life for a pound. I don’t look back with any regrets, that’s for sure.
“I reckon I’m lucky to be alive. If I still had the money I’d probably be 6ft under.”
You can donate to Zoe’s GoFundMe page here.
Featured Image Credit: Colin McPherson/Corbis via Getty Images / PA Images/Alamy Stock PhotoTopics: Money, National Lottery, UK News