Newlywed dies in freak honeymoon accident after stepping into ocean
Jake Rosencranz and his wife Leah had created a wonderful life together — and after years filled with love and joy, they were finally indulging in a long-awaited honeymoon in Florida.
However, what was supposed to be a happy chapter in their lives quickly transformed into a nightmare that no one could have foreseen.
Rushed to his aid
On June 21, Jake sadly became Florida’s first lightning-related fatality of 2025 following a freak accident at New Smyrna Beach — a surf town located just south of Daytona.
It occurred on what appeared to be a clear, calm June day. Jake, 29, was relishing the warm waters, standing in ankle-deep surf near 27th Avenue Beach. What no one anticipated was that a storm brewing miles inland had begun to make its way toward the coast.
Around 12:30 p.m., as weather patterns changed, FOX 35 Storm Tracker Radar detected 170 lightning strikes in the vicinity — and one of those strikes hit Jake.
According to the CDC, the chances of being hit by lightning in the U.S. are less than one in a million. However, for Jake, those chances became fatal.
Lifeguards quickly came to his rescue, starting CPR and other life-saving measures right on the beach. Tammy Malphurs, the Director of Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue, mentioned that the lifeguards had not yet evacuated the beach, as the storm was still several miles away when the lightning struck.
“On Friday, June 20, a 29-year-old man from Colorado was struck by lightning just before 12:30 PM while he was standing in ankle-deep water at New Smyrna Beach,” Malphurs stated. “CPR was started right away, and we carried out life-saving procedures. He was taken from the scene unresponsive, and unfortunately, he lost his life due to the injuries he suffered.”]} “`
Jake was taken to AdventHealth in New Smyrna Beach, where the medical team tried to save him — but despite their best efforts, he passed away the next day, on June 21. Jake spent his last moments at the hospital, surrounded by his family and friends.
Tributes started to come in for Jake, a man his friends referred to as a “true Coloradan,” even though he hailed from Weston, Massachusetts.
He attended Holderness School in Plymouth, New Hampshire, where he met Leah during a sophomore chemistry class. From that day forward, they were inseparable.
Along with their dog Bonnie, they led an adventurous lifestyle in the Rocky Mountains. Their home was in Frisco, Colorado, where weekends were packed with hiking, skiing, golfing, biking, boating, and enjoying the sunshine. In July 2023, they exchanged vows at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area — a special place where they had enjoyed many skiing trips and memorable moments with friends at the “beach.”
Jake was taken to AdventHealth in New Smyrna Beach, where the medical team tried to save him — but despite their best efforts, he passed away the next day, on June 21. Jake spent his last moments at the hospital, surrounded by his family and friends.
Tributes started to come in for Jake, a man his friends referred to as a “true Coloradan,” even though he hailed from Weston, Massachusetts.
He attended Holderness School in Plymouth, New Hampshire, where he met Leah during a sophomore chemistry class. From that day forward, they were inseparable.
Along with their dog Bonnie, they led an adventurous lifestyle in the Rocky Mountains. Their home was in Frisco, Colorado, where weekends were packed with hiking, skiing, golfing, biking, boating, and enjoying the sunshine. In July 2023, they exchanged vows at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area — a special place where they had enjoyed many skiing trips and memorable moments with friends at the “beach.”
The GoFundMe page states: “This heartbreaking loss affects so many dear ones, particularly Leah, who will have to navigate life without her husband and best friend. During this challenging period, we are seeking to provide financial assistance to Leah as she faces medical expenses and other challenges following Jake’s passing.”
On the same day, in an unrelated event, two individuals were reportedly struck indirectly by lightning while playing golf at the Venetian Bay Golf Course, as per local fire officials. Their current conditions are still unknown.
Jake’s unexpected departure has created a profound void in the hearts of those who knew him — a honeymoon tale that started in happiness but concluded in unfathomable grief.