San Jose, California – The tragic death of 72-year-old Marine Corps veteran Terril Johnson has shocked the community after he was reportedly “boiled alive” in a scalding hot hotel shower at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites San Jose Airport in May 2025.
Johnson’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the hotel, alleging negligence and failure to maintain safe water temperatures, which ultimately led to his severe injuries and death.
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What Happened
In May 2025, Terril Johnson, a Vietnam War veteran and loving grandfather, checked into the Fairfield by Marriott after a six-hour drive from Los Angeles. He was in town to attend his granddaughter’s graduation ceremony at San Jose State University.
According to the lawsuit filed in October 2025, Johnson entered the hotel shower when the water temperature spiked to 136°F, far exceeding the California Plumbing Code’s safety limit of 120°F.
His grandson discovered him unconscious and partially submerged in the scalding water. Family members tried to help but were unable to touch him immediately due to the extreme heat. Despite attempts at CPR, Johnson’s skin reportedly began to peel away from the burns he had sustained.
The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Johnson died from severe thermal burns, with injuries covering over 33% of his body.
Incident and Legal Consequences
The wrongful death lawsuit, filed on October 15, 2025, accuses the Fairfield by Marriott of gross negligence and reckless infliction of emotional distress.
Court documents allege that the hotel failed to regulate water temperatures properly. Subsequent testing reportedly showed the shower water reaching between 134°F and 136°F, well above the state’s legal safety limit.
“This was not an isolated accident,” the lawsuit states. “This was the result of gross negligence and a complete failure to maintain even basic safety standards.”
The Johnson family is seeking accountability and justice for the veteran’s untimely and painful death, as well as for the emotional trauma his loved ones suffered while witnessing the incident.
Who Was Terril Johnson?
Terril Johnson was a proud Indiana native and Marine Corps veteran who served honorably during the Vietnam War. After completing his military service, he settled in California, where he built a quiet and meaningful life devoted to his family.
He was married to his high school sweetheart for 54 years, and together they raised children and grandchildren who adored him. Johnson was remembered as a man of integrity, service, and love—always placing his family and country first.
His death, occurring on the eve of his granddaughter’s college graduation, has left the family heartbroken, turning what should have been a joyful occasion into an unimaginable tragedy.
Community Reaction and Legal Response
The horrifying nature of Johnson’s death has drawn widespread attention to hotel safety regulations and the duty of care owed to guests. Advocates have called for stricter safety inspections and accountability from hotel management to prevent such incidents in the future.
Johnson’s family, through their attorneys, is demanding justice and seeking to ensure that no other family experiences a similar loss due to preventable negligence. The lawsuit aims to hold the Fairfield by Marriott accountable for failing to maintain safe facilities for guests.
The hotel has not yet issued a public response regarding the allegations.
A Tragic Reminder of the Importance of Safety and Accountability
The death of Terril Johnson serves as a painful reminder of the consequences of negligence in public accommodations. His family’s pursuit of justice represents not only their grief but also their commitment to preventing similar tragedies from happening again.
May this case serve as a wake-up call for improved safety standards across the hospitality industry and as a lasting tribute to a veteran who gave so much in service to his country and family.