Khan died last July after being poisoned with cyanide.
By Deepak Chitnis
WASHINGTON, DC: The wife and daughter of deceased Illinois lottery winner Urooj Khan have settled the distribution of his estate, including his prize money.
Khan, who was poisoned and killed just after winning the lottery in July of 2012, died without a will, leaving his estate in limbo for the next several months while members of his family fought over how to split up his assets.
Khan’s wife, Shabana Ansari, will receive one-third of the lottery winnings, which totaled $425,000 when taken as a lump sum and after deducting taxes. His daughter from a previous marriage, who has not been named, will receive the remaining two-thirds of the money, as well as some investments. The matter was settled in Cook County probate court after a contentious litigation battle.
Part of the settlement also dictates that neither Ansari nor her step-daughter can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the other unless authorities uncover new evidence that may incriminate one of them.
Khan died in July of 2012, just under two months after winning the lottery but before he was able to cash the check. His brother convinced law enforcement officials that Khan’s death may have been the result of foul play, apparently convincing them enough to exhume Khan’s body and conduct an autopsy.
The results of the autopsy indicated that Khan was, in fact, poisoned with a lethal dose of cyanide. The case became a homicide investigation, and is still active. Although several close family members, including Khan’s widow, have been questioned by the authorities, the killer has not yet been found.
Khan owned and operated a dry cleaning business in the Cook County area, just outside of Chicago. Ansari will keep the business and several other commercial properties, as well as the primary residence she shared with Khan.
To contact the author, email to deepakchitnis@americanbazaaronline.com