Authorities found 25-year-old $1 million Michigan Lottery winner Amanda Clayton of Lincoln Park dead inside an Ecorse home Saturday.

Clayton, who spurred legislative change in Lansing when it was learned that she continued collecting food stamps and state medical aid after winning the Lotto, died of an apparent drug overdose, The Detroit News reports (full story).

Clayton was charged with two felony counts of welfare fraud for collecting food stamps after hitting the jackpot.

Police arrested Clayton April 16 following an investigation by the state in response to news reports that she continued to use her Bridge Card after winning $1 million in the Michigan Lottery's game show "Make Me Rich!" in September 2011.

She plead no contest and sentenced to six months of probation.

Clayton reappeared in headlines in August after a neighborhood dispute over grass clippings.


Police reported that Victor Bartola of Lincoln Park was beaten up after moving lawn refuse left by Clayton off his driveway and onto her property.

Three people returned with a knife, baseball bat and pellet gun and were charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

Clayton was not arrested or charged with any crime.