A heartbreaking moment on “Wheel of Fortune” is igniting outrage among fans after a Massachusetts mom came agonizingly close to winning a brand-new car — only to lose it on what viewers are calling one of the most “evil” puzzles the show has seen in years.

Jess Graham of Brockton, Massachusetts, delivered a dominant performance during the January 26 episode, cruising through most of the game and positioning herself as the clear frontrunner heading into the Bonus Round. But in the final seconds, a tricky phrase — and just two missing letters — stood between her and the keys to a new vehicle.

Graham, a lifelong skier from a family deeply rooted in the sport, balanced competitive focus with warmth, sharing that she’s also a wife and mother of three. From the opening moments of the episode, it was clear she came to play. She swept both toss-up puzzles, immediately locking in $3,000 and setting the tone for the night.

Her opponents included Rocky Brown of Chicago, who revealed he’s training to compete on the reality series “Survivor,” and Duane Chapman from Lubbock, Texas, a devoted basketball fan. Brown made a strong early push by calling out multiple correct letters in the first main puzzle, but a single incorrect guess abruptly ended his run. Chapman seized the opportunity, solving “High School Yearbook Photo” and putting his first $1,000 on the board.

Graham soon widened the gap. She nailed the “Before & After” puzzle, correctly identifying “Sparkling Water Taxi,” which earned her over $10,000 in one shot. Moments later, she landed on the high-value “Year of Fun” wedge and confidently solved the Prize Puzzle, “Happy Smiling Faces,” securing a vacation to Finland and pushing her total past $22,000.