Jake Rosencranz and his wife Leah were finally celebrating their long-postponed honeymoon in Florida when an unimaginable tragedy occurred. On June 20, while Jake, 29, was standing in shallow water at New Smyrna Beach, he was suddenly struck by lightning—even though the storm was still miles away.
Lifeguards responded immediately, performing CPR and transporting him to AdventHealth hospital. Despite their efforts, Jake passed away the next day, marking Florida’s first lightning-related fatality of 2025.
Jake and Leah’s relationship was rooted in years of shared love and adventure. They first met in high school chemistry class and built a life together filled with outdoor pursuits in Colorado. After getting married in July 2023 at a cherished ski resort, they had postponed their honeymoon—until now.
The news of Jake’s passing has deeply saddened the community. In response, Jake’s brother-in-law launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Leah with medical and related expenses. Jake is being remembered as a loving husband and cherished member of his family.
On the same day, two other individuals were also struck by lightning while golfing nearby, though they fortunately survived without serious harm.
What began as a joyful trip quickly turned into a devastating loss, leaving loved ones stunned and heartbroken.