A US lottery winner was found dead from a heart attack at a Sihanoukville guesthouse Thursday night, a police official said.
Kol Phally, deputy provincial police chief, said he received word that evening that Rodney Schwirse, 68, was found dead in his hotel room at Beach Club Resort near Ochheuteal Beach.
No foul play was suspected.
“After inspection, the body was handed over to the US Embassy,” he said, adding that medication at the scene indicated the man was suffering from age-related health issues.
Schwirse, 68, who won $6.25 million in the Oregon lottery in 2009, checked in on July 12 and was scheduled to leave yesterday, said hotel receptionist Doeur Vutha. According to KGW Portland, Schwirse, then a resident of St Helens, Oregon, had won $12.5 million but opted for a lump sum of $6.25 million rather than the full amount in incremental payments.
He told reporters at the time he planned to donate part of his winnings to support local workers recently laid off.
