The winner of the second-largest lottery prize in U.S. history remains a mystery more than two months after the drawing, raising the possibility the ticket's owner may not realize a staggering $1.5 billion fortune awaits.

The winning ticket for the Mega Millions drawing Oct. 23 was sold in Simpsonville, South Carolina, a quiet hamlet 90 miles northwest of Columbia. The winner has until April 20 to claim the money.

David Stevenson, a CPA in Simpsonville, says that if someone is clutching the ticket, there is no better time than now to cash in.

"I'm not surprised they waited until 2019," Stevenson told USA TODAY. "If they do it now they have all year to set up a charitable foundation if they are so inclined."

If the winner claimed the money late last year but didn't complete work on the foundation until 2019, the big charitable deduction wouldn't come in the same year the money came in, he said. But now, waiting would just cost the winner tens of thousands of dollars per day in interest income, he said.

"Another possibility is that, whoever won, lost the ticket or doesn't realize it's a winner," he said. "Nothing anyone can do about that."

More: Winner of $1.5 billion Mega Millions jackpot has not claimed prize

More: $1.537B Mega Millions ticket sold at South Carolina store

The first decision the winner must make is whether to claim the cash option of approximately $878 million or the annuity – the full jackpot amount paid out over 29 years. Winners overwhelmingly take the cash option, figuring they can make more money investing it.

The winner isn't the only one who would lose out if the Mega Millions ticket is not cashed in by April 20. The ticket was sold in South Carolina, which would lose a state tax claim estimated at more than $60 million. The federal cut would be much more.

C.J. Patel, owner of the KC Mart where the ticket was sold, says business has picked up since the glare of the international spotlight shone on his store. Still, Patel stands to lose about $50,000 he would get from the lottery if the prize goes unclaimed.

"They said we aren't going to get anything until the prize is claimed," Patel told USA TODAY on Wednesday. "So, yes, we hope the winner claims it soon."

If the money isn't claimed, it goes back to the states based on ticket sales. South Carolina would get $11.2 million, South Carolina Education Lottery spokeswoman Holli Armstrong said.

The lottery had suggested the winner not rush to claim the prize.

“We want you to take a deep breath, and before you come forward to claim the prize, sign the back of the ticket, secure the ticket in a safe location and seek council from a trusted financial planner, CPA, or lawyer,” the state lottery’s Chief Operating Officer Tony Cooper said in October.

For anyone scrounging around looking for old tickets, the winning numbers were 5, 28, 62, 65, 70 and Mega Ball 5.

The public may never know who claims the jackpot. South Carolina is one of eight states where winners can remain anonymous. Stevenson said no one has come to him looking for advice on how to invest $1.5 billion.

"And, unfortunately, I didn't buy it," he said.






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