SEBRING, Fla. – The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office on Friday officially identified the two Miami men who were found dead in a remote part of the county this week after a hunting trip turned into a devastating tragedy. The victims, 38-year-old Alexander Karl Getz and 31-year-old Peter James Stansky, are believed to have been killed by a lightning strike while out on a levee with their dogs, who also perished in the incident.
The heartbreaking discovery was made on Wednesday afternoon near Rucks Dairy Road after the two friends failed to return home from their trip, prompting a multi-agency search. Investigators believe the fatal strike occurred on Monday evening during a severe thunderstorm, a stark and tragic reminder of the immense and unpredictable power of Florida’s weather.
The District 10 Medical Examiner’s Office is working to confirm the official cause of death, but the Sheriff’s Office has stated that there were no signs of foul play and that all evidence at the scene was consistent with a lightning strike. The incident has sent a shockwave of grief through the victims’ families and has served as a sobering warning to outdoor enthusiasts about the dangers of the state’s frequent and violent storms.
The Search and Discovery: A Desperate Wait Ends in Heartbreak
The ordeal began earlier in the week when Alexander Getz and Peter Stansky, two avid hunters from Miami, traveled to the rural, open landscapes of southeast Highlands County for a hunting trip. When they failed to make contact or return home as scheduled, their families’ concern grew into alarm, and they notified the authorities.
A coordinated search effort was launched, led by the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office and assisted by officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), who have extensive knowledge of the area’s rugged terrain. The search was focused on the vast, remote area near Rucks Dairy Road, a region characterized by a network of canals, levees, and open hunting grounds—a place where it is easy to become isolated, especially during bad weather.
The first breakthrough came when search teams located the men’s vehicle parked near an access point, giving them a crucial starting point for the ground search. From there, teams began to scour the nearby levees and trails.
On Wednesday afternoon, the search came to a tragic end. Not far from their truck, searchers made a heartbreaking discovery on a levee alongside Canal C-41A. They found the bodies of Getz and Stansky lying together. In a particularly poignant and devastating detail, the bodies of their loyal hunting dogs were found right beside them, having also been killed in the event. The scene suggested that the two men and their canine companions were caught completely in the open, with no safe shelter available, when a powerful thunderstorm rolled through the area.
Remembering the Victims: Alexander Getz and Peter Stansky
While the investigation pieces together their final moments, friends and families are mourning the loss of two vibrant men who shared a deep passion for the outdoors.
Alexander Karl Getz, 38, and Peter James Stansky, 31, were friends bonded by a love for hunting and the wilderness. For them, a trip from the urban sprawl of Miami to the untamed landscapes of Highlands County was a chance to connect with nature and pursue the sport they loved. Hunting trips like this are often a time of camaraderie and escape, making the sudden and violent end to their journey all the more tragic.
The loss of their dogs in the same incident has added another layer of heartbreak to the story. For many hunters, their dogs are more than just animals; they are trusted partners, highly trained companions, and beloved members of the family. The image of the dogs remaining by their owners’ sides to the very end is a testament to the powerful bond they shared. Their deaths alongside the men they were sworn to protect is a detail that has resonated deeply with the community.
The families of both men have been notified and are now grappling with the sudden and shocking loss of their loved ones.
The Silent Killer: Florida, the “Lightning Capital of the U.S.”
The deaths of Getz and Stansky are a grim reminder of a danger that is an ever-present part of life in Florida. The state is often called the “Lightning Capital of the United States,” and for good reason. According to the National Weather Service, Florida experiences more lightning strikes per square mile than any other state, and it consistently leads the nation in lightning-related fatalities.
The state’s unique geography and climate create a perfect recipe for thunderstorms. The combination of intense sun, high humidity, and sea breezes from both the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico creates atmospheric instability that frequently erupts into violent storms, particularly in the late summer and early fall months. These storms can develop with astonishing speed, often turning a bright, sunny afternoon into a dark and dangerous situation in a matter of minutes.
Being caught outdoors during one of these storms is exceptionally dangerous, and the circumstances of the two hunters were a textbook example of a worst-case scenario:
- They were in an open area: Levees, like open fields or golf courses, offer no protection.
- They may have been near water: The canal next to the levee could have also increased their risk.
- There was no available shelter: In the remote wilderness where they were hunting, finding a safe, enclosed building or a hard-topped vehicle may have been impossible.
Lightning safety experts stress that the old adage, “When thunder roars, go indoors,” is the most important rule to follow. Thunder is the sound created by a lightning strike, and if you can hear it, you are close enough to be struck. The deaths of Getz and Stansky serve as a powerful and tragic lesson in the importance of heeding these warnings.
The Investigation and Official Determination
The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office has stated that there were no signs of foul play at the scene, and all evidence points to a lightning strike as the cause of death. However, an official cause and the exact time of death will be determined by the District 10 Medical Examiner’s Office.
An autopsy is a standard and necessary procedure in all cases of unattended or unnatural death. The medical examiner will be able to identify the specific injuries consistent with a lightning strike, which can include severe burns, cardiac arrest, and neurological damage. This will provide the legal and official confirmation of what investigators already strongly suspect. The investigation remains technically open pending the final results of that report.
The Sheriff’s Office has used this tragic event to issue a public safety reminder, urging all residents and visitors who enjoy Florida’s outdoors to be vigilant about monitoring the weather. They encourage hikers, boaters, and hunters to carry a weather radio or use a smartphone app to receive severe weather alerts, especially when venturing into remote areas where storms can approach unnoticed.
As two families in Miami begin the heartbreaking process of planning funerals, the community of Highlands County is left to reflect on a tragedy that underscores the awesome power of nature and the fragility of life.
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