A 75-year-old Oregon man who shared a portion of his lottery winnings with his girlfriend was allegedly run over by her car after confronting her over additional funds she reportedly stole, according to prosecutors in Multnomah County.
Background
James S. Miller and Mary Ann McKinzy, 55, were in a relationship when Miller won $3,200 playing the lottery. Court documents state that Miller generously shared $1,700 of his prize money with McKinzy. However, prosecutors allege that McKinzy subsequently stole an additional $800 from Miller, prompting him to gather friends to help locate her and recover the money.
On Nov. 28, 2025, Miller was driven by a friend to McKinzy’s apartment complex in Portland, Oregon. The friend, who spoke with investigators, said he was unaware of Miller’s specific plan. Upon finding McKinzy in her car in the parking lot, Miller reportedly told her to "open the door or I'm going to bust the window open." Police say Miller instructed his friend to use their vehicle to block McKinzy’s car from leaving.
The confrontation escalated when McKinzy allegedly backed her car into the vehicle driven by Miller’s friend. As the friend exited to assess the damage, he told police he witnessed Miller throw a knife at McKinzy’s car. Surveillance footage reportedly captured Miller stabbing the tires of McKinzy’s vehicle.
The Charges
Following the tire-stabbing incident, McKinzy allegedly put her car into reverse and backed over Miller. When Miller’s friend urged her to move the car off Miller, she reportedly responded that he was "trying to kill" her before driving away. Miller was pronounced dead at the scene.
Although initial reports suggested Miller died from a stabbing, the Portland Police Bureau later confirmed that the cause of death was blunt force trauma. McKinzy fled the state before police could execute an arrest warrant. Her car was discovered at a local tire shop shortly after Miller’s death, and hubcaps found inside the vehicle matched one recovered at the crime scene. She reportedly left many personal belongings behind in the car.
McKinzy was charged with second-degree murder, assault, and negligent homicide in connection with Miller’s death. The U.S. Marshals Service tracked McKinzy to Bakersfield, California, where she was arrested on Aug. 5. She was extradited to Multnomah County on Sept. 18 and is currently in custody at the Multnomah County Detention Center.
Key Takeaways
- James S. Miller, 75, was killed after allegedly being run over by his girlfriend, Mary Ann McKinzy, 55.
- Prosecutors say the dispute arose after McKinzy allegedly stole $800 from Miller, who had previously shared $1,700 of his $3,200 lottery winnings with her.
- Miller allegedly stabbed McKinzy’s tires with a knife before she reversed her car over him.
- McKinzy was charged with second-degree murder, assault, and negligent homicide.
- The U.S. Marshals Service arrested McKinzy in Bakersfield, California, on Aug. 5 after she fled Oregon.
What's Next
Mary Ann McKinzy is currently held at the Multnomah County Detention Center. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 29, where further legal proceedings regarding the charges of second-degree murder, assault, and negligent homicide are expected to continue.