Jake Rosencranz, 29, was on his honeymoon in Florida with his new wife, Leah, when he was tragically struck by lightning and killed.
The couple had visited New Smyrna Beach on Friday, where the weather was clear and sunny. They were wading in ankle-deep water when a storm brewing inland began to move toward the coast.
At approximately 12:30 p.m. local time, the storm hit. More than 170 lightning strikes were recorded in the area, one of which tragically struck Jake.
While 90 percent of lightning strike victims survive, this was not the case for Jake. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, including CPR, he ultimately succumbed to his injuries after being transported to the hospital.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the odds of being struck by lightning in the U.S. are less than one in a million.
Local beach safety director Tammy Malphurs described the incident as “unusual,” noting that it’s extremely rare for someone to be struck by lightning from a storm still several miles away.
They emphasized that the storm had not yet reached the beach when the lightning bolt, which originated many miles inland, hit Jake.
Rosencranz is the first person to be killed by lightning in Florida in 2025.
Two other people were indirectly struck by lightning while golfing during the storm. Fortunately, they sustained only minor injuries and did not require hospitalization.
Local Sheriff Mike Chitwood shared on social media that everything changed for Rosencranz and his wife “in one terrifying second.” He offered his condolences, saying the couple should have shared “many anniversaries for years to come.”
Rosencranz, who grew up in Boston, graduated from the University of Denver in 2019. He began his career at a local construction company before becoming a project manager at the Behm Consulting Group.
According to his LinkedIn profile, he also enjoyed golf, skiing, and spending time in nature with his wife and their dog.
In a statement, the Behm Consulting Group described Rosencranz as “a beloved colleague and a great friend.” The company said it was heartbroken by his loss and extended its love and support to his wife and family.
In the wake of his passing, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help Leah with medical expenses and the devastating loss of her husband.
As of Friday, more than $130,000 has been raised by supporters.
