Edwin Castro, who won a record-breaking $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot in 2022, is putting millions back into the community where his winning ticket was purchased, acquiring burned properties left behind by January’s devastating wildfires.
Castro has spent approximately $10 million purchasing 15 properties in his hometown of Altadena, making him one of the largest private landowners in a community still reeling from the deadly Eaton Fire that destroyed thousands of structures.
Fromer Powerball Winner Commits to Helping Rebuild Altadena
The 33-year-old architecture consultant and former Boy Scout, who once rented a room in Altadena before his lottery windfall, says his commitment to Altadena is rooted in :
“This is for a family that wants to move in. Those are the people that need to be looked out for right now.”
But Castro’s purchases come amid growing tension in fire-ravaged neighborhoods, where residents fear being driven out by aggressive developers, and a petition to block investors from purchasing property has garnered around 1,500 signatures.
Critics have labeled the trend “disaster capitalism.” Iris Craige of the Strategic Actions for a Just Economy non-profit said:
“It’s a textbook example of disaster capitalism, where people are targeted while they’re grieving and overwhelmed. A second wave of disaster for Altadenans.”
The Focus Remains on Single-Family Homes
Castro, however, maintains he’s different from typical investors. Through his company Black Lion Properties LLC, formed with his brother Jesse, he plans to build primarily single-family homes rather than high-density developments that some investors are pursuing.
Half of the lots will use pre-existing plans to restore the original homes, while the other half will feature new single-family designs.
“The profit margin doesn’t need to be egregious. But I’m not building these homes just to give them away.”
Castro envisions building a personal “Willy Wonka-esque” residence on two cleared lots, complete with secret underground rooms and eclectic features. Drawing inspiration from his father, who worked in construction on projects like the Getty Museum, Castro wants to show his future children that he helped rebuild the community he holds dear.
“I want to have kids like yesterday. It’s about family. Family is important.”
Local reaction has been mixed. Joel Bryant, a contractor and longtime local, said: “I feel better about him than anybody else because he’s from the area.” Others remain skeptical that any investor, local or not, has the community’s best interests at heart.
The Eaton Fire and the Palisades Fire left over 30 people dead and destroyed more than 16,000 structures in January 2025. Castro himself lost his $3.85 million Malibu home in the Palisades fire, giving him a personal stake in the recovery.
Castro said he does not plan to purchase any more properties. “It’s too much work,” he said. He estimates his rebuilding plan could take a decade to complete.
Looking Back: Where Are Major Powerball Winners Now?
Castro isn’t the first massive Powerball winner to make headlines after claiming their prize. Here’s what happened to some of the biggest winners in lottery history:
$1.765 Billion (California, 2023)
A group of winners represented by Theodorus Struyck claimed this October 11, 2023 jackpot in the tiny mountain town of Frazier Park, California, after 35 consecutive drawings without a top prize winner. They chose the cash value of $774.1 million and have maintained relative privacy since their win.
$1.586 Billion (Tennessee, Florida, California, 2016)
Three winning tickets split this historic January 13, 2016 prize. The winner from Mumford, a small town outside of Memphis, said he had no plans to move out of his one-story home despite becoming a multi-millionaire.
The winning California couple claimed their ticket six months after the initial drawing, creating conspiracy theories, including that the unknown winner may have passed away.
The Florida couple told their story on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and the Today show, saying:
“We just wanted a little big piece of the pie. Now we’re real grateful we got the big piece of the pie.”
$1.326 Billion (Oregon, 2024)
A single winning ticket was sold in Portland, Oregon for the April 6, 2024 drawing. The winning ticket was claimed by Cheng and Duanpen Saephan and their friend Laiza Chao who all bought 20 tickets together. Cheng, who has been fighting cancer for 8 years, said “I’m happy for my family, they will have a good life.”
$1.08 Billion (California, 2023)
Yanira Alvarez came forward as the lucky winner of the $1.08 billion Powerball jackpot on July 19, 2023. Her ticket was purchased at the Las Palmitas Mini Market in Downtown LA. She chose the lump sum payout worth $558.1 million.
$842.2 Million (Michigan, 2024)
This January 1, 2024 windfall marks the first time ever that a Powerball jackpot has been won on New Year’s Day. The lucky ticket was purchased at the Food Castle in Grand Blanc, Michigan by three people who call themselves “The Breakfast Club.” The group plays together whenever jackpots reach a huge amount.
$768.4 Million (Wisconsin, 2019)
This Quick Pick winner in Wisconsin said he didn’t think he would play again after hitting the jackpot. “I just can’t believe an ordinary guy like me would ever be in this position,” he said. The winner opted for a one-time lump sum payment of $477 million, which came to $326 million after taxes.
$758.7 Million (Massachusetts, 2017)
On August 23, 2017, a woman from Chicopee, Massachusetts won what was then the largest lottery jackpot in United States history. She discovered she had won while leaving work and quickly told her boss she would not be coming back. When asked how she was going to celebrate, she simply said, “I’m going to just hide in my bed.”
$754.6 Million (Washington, 2023)
Becky Bell of Auburn, Washington bought her ticket when the estimated jackpot was $747 million, just days after Boeing delivered its final 747 jumbo jet. The number inspired the former Boeing employee to play a ticket that ended up being the sole winner.
$699.9 Million (California, 2021)
Scott Godfrey of Morro Bay didn’t realize his Quick Pick had won $699 million until he watched the news on TV. He chose to go with the lump sum cash option which enabled him to set up a foundation for charitable giving.
$590.5 Million (Florida, 2013)
On May 18, 2013, an 84-year-old woman took home this large jackpot after buying the winning ticket at a Publix supermarket in Zephyrhills, Florida. The woman said:
“Another lottery player was kind enough to let me go ahead of them in line to purchase the winning Quick Pick ticket.”
What if You Won the Powerball
The stories of past winners reveal common patterns: many focus on family, community, and managing their newfound wealth responsibly. Several have established charitable foundations, helped family members with education costs, or, like Castro, invested in rebuilding their communities.
The cautionary tales are fewer but real—some winners have struggled with the sudden wealth, while others have successfully transitioned into low-key lives of financial security and generosity.
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