Couple struck by lightning in Opp

The Opp couple found dead in their West Hart Avenue backyard Wednesday was struck by lightning, and died on Tuesday, officials said.

Covington County Coroner Norman Hobson confirmed the cause of death.

“They had gone outside, and had some chickens in a metal cage,” Hobson said. “They went outside to cover the chickens up with a piece of tarpaulin, and while they were trying to cover them up, lightning struck the tree and ran down a branch and hit her and him.”

Opp police received a call at 4:17 p.m. on Wednesday about two individuals being down in a backyard. Upon arrival, officers found Miguel Belnar, 42, and Sharon G. Fletcher, 45, deceased.

Hobson said the Alabama Department of Forensics confirmed the cause of death.

Hobson said that Belnar left work around 4 p.m. Tuesday, and the OPD confirmed to him that there was a bad lightning storm in the city that day.

“A co-worker came and found them,” he said.

Opp Police Assistant Chief Kevin Chance cautioned citizens about the dangers of severe thunderstorms and the need to take shelter.

“The Opp Police Department would like to remind citizens to be aware of the weather and know where storms are located,” Chance said. “When a thunderstorm is approaching, citizens need to take shelter immediately because lightning can strike many miles away from the main part of the storm.”

Fletcher worked for Gitty-Up-N-Go for eight years, and Belnar was a laborer at a recycling company.