The couple’s delayed honeymoon took a devastating turn after the groom dies in a tragic accident.
Jake Rosencranz, 29, and his wife Leah were enjoying a long-awaited honeymoon in Florida following their 2023 wedding.
The couple had been eagerly anticipating the trip, but their dream vacation took a tragic turn on Friday, June 20.
They headed to the beach under a forecast of clear, sunny skies despite reports of stormy conditions further inland. Jake walked down to the shoreline for a quick swim, but he had only waded in ankle-deep when disaster struck.
The odds of what happened to Jake are estimated at one in a million and even then, most people survive such incidents.
Now, his grieving family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Leah and cover related expenses, raising over $140,150 so far.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Jake Rosencranz’s coworkers described him as “a great friend and beloved colleague.”
“We are heartbroken over this terrible loss,” they said. “Our thoughts are with his wife, Leah, and his family. He will be deeply missed.”
The tragedy occurred when Jake was struck by lightning while standing in shallow water at the beach.
“It was the most crackling, electrical hit you could imagine absolutely fierce,” a witness told local reporters.
Jake collapsed instantly, and beachgoers rushed to pull him from the water. A nurse who happened to be nearby immediately began administering CPR.
Volusia County Beach Safety officials later confirmed that Jake was the victim of a rare ‘blue sky lightning strike’ a phenomenon that can occur even when the sky appears clear.
Another witness recalled, “You knew it was serious the moment they started chest compressions.”
Tamra Malphurs, Director of Volusia County Beach Safety, confirmed the tragic incident in an official statement:
“On Friday, June 20, a 29-year-old man from Colorado was struck by lightning just before 12:30 p.m. while standing in ankle-deep water at New Smyrna Beach. CPR was administered immediately, and life-saving measures were taken,” she said.
“Unfortunately, he was transported from the scene unresponsive, and he tragically passed away from his injuries.”
Jake and Leah had been together for several years before their marriage and frequently shared joyful moments and travel memories on Instagram. Their honeymoon, a delayed celebration of their love, ended in heartbreak.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood also expressed his sorrow:
“At just 29, he should have had a lifetime of anniversaries ahead. On behalf of all of us, I send my deepest condolences to this young woman.”
The couple had been living in a high-rise apartment in Denver, building their life together after tying the knot two years ago.
“They came here to celebrate their marriage,” Chitwood said. “In one terrifying second, everything changed.”
