Shawn Keeley, a 32-year-old Co Derry man who became an overnight millionaire after scooping £1million on a scratchcard in July 2020, has died unexpectedly in the Philippines.
The finance graduate from Dungiven passed away "suddenly but peacefully" on Saturday, according to a death notice posted by McLaughlin Funeral Directors.
It is understood Mr Keeley had been living in Asia for several years before his death.
News of his passing has prompted an outpouring of grief from those who knew him, with friends and family expressing shock at the loss of the young lottery winner.
Mr Keeley purchased his winning Mega Cash Showdown ticket at McNicholl's Eurospar in Dungiven, where he had been working as manager.
The win came after he had won £30 on some £3 scratchcards and decided to reinvest his winnings in a couple of £5 tickets.
"At first I thought it must be a fake card, and I checked every inch of it to make sure it was real," he said at the time of his win six years ago.
After verifying the numbers matched, he telephoned Camelot to confirm his fortune.
"I ran through the details with a lovely lady on the end of the phone before she said the magic words 'Congratulations, you've won a million pounds'," he recalled.
The death notice described Mr Keeley as the "beloved son of Tiney and Noel and loving brother of Christopher, Paul and Gauvin".
He will be "very sadly missed by his partner E.J", the notice added, with the family requesting donations to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust instead of flowers.
The trust, led by Colin and Eithne Bell, is assisting with bringing Mr Keeley's remains home to Ireland.
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Mr Keeley was formerly of Lackagh Park in Dungiven and is "very deeply regretted by all his aunts, uncles, cousins and the entire family circle", according to the funeral directors.
Tributes have flooded social media following the announcement of Mr Keeley's death.
"I can't believe he's gone," wrote one devastated friend. "Shawn was a man who could light up any room as soon as he walked into it."
A former colleague who worked alongside him at Eurospar said: "I had the pleasure of working with you in eurospar and many a laugh we had. Rest in peace and condolences to all the family."
Others described him as "the most genuine person" and "an absolute ray of sunshine who could make any day better".
Wake and funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
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