San Jose, California – Terril Johnson, a 72-year-old Marine Corps veteran, tragically passed away after being “boiled alive” in a scalding hot hotel shower at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites San Jose Airport in May 2025. Johnson’s family is now seeking justice through a wrongful death lawsuit, which claims the hotel’s negligence led to his severe injuries and death.
What Happened
In May 2025, Terril Johnson, a Vietnam War veteran and grandfather, checked into the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites San Jose Airport after a six-hour drive from Los Angeles to attend his granddaughter’s college graduation. According to a wrongful death lawsuit filed in October 2025, Johnson entered the hotel shower and was subjected to water temperatures reaching 136°F—well above the legal limit of 120°F set by California’s plumbing code.
When his grandson went to check on him, he discovered Johnson unconscious and partially submerged in the scalding water. The water was so hot that the family could not immediately pull him out without burning themselves, the lawsuit states. Family members then attempted CPR but were forced to watch in horror as Johnson’s skin began to peel off due to the extreme heat.
The family’s lawyers described the incident as Johnson being “effectively boiled alive.” According to the Santa Clara County medical examiner, Johnson died from severe scalding with burns covering more than 33% of his body.
The Incident and Aftermath
The lawsuit, filed on October 15, 2025, alleges wrongful death and negligent infliction of emotional distress against the hotel. While the exact duration Johnson was submerged in the scalding water is unclear, it was described as a “short time,” and the family was devastated by the painful, prolonged suffering he endured. Johnson’s son, daughter-in-law, and three granddaughters—including Trinity, who was set to graduate from San Jose State University the following day—witnessed the horrific scene unfold, according to the Mercury News.
Hotel’s Alleged Negligence
The lawsuit claims that the water temperature coming from the hotel shower was between 134°F and 136°F, which is far hotter than the state’s mandated 120°F maximum for individual showers. The family’s legal team argues that the incident was the result of gross negligence and a failure by the hotel to meet basic safety obligations.
“This was not a freak accident,” the court documents state. “It was the direct result of Defendant’s gross negligence and failure to meet even basic safety obligations.”
Who Was Terril Johnson?
Terril Johnson was an Indiana native and a proud Marine who served in the Vietnam War. After returning from military service, he built a life in California with his high school sweetheart, whom he was married to for 54 years. He was a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who lived a life of service to his country and his family.
His sudden and tragic death has devastated his family, especially on the eve of his granddaughter’s graduation, a moment that should have been filled with joy.
Community Reaction and Legal Proceedings
The tragic incident has drawn attention to issues of hotel safety and the responsibility of businesses to ensure the well-being of their guests. The family’s legal team is seeking justice for the emotional and physical suffering caused by the hotel’s negligence, while also highlighting the trauma the family endured from witnessing the horrific event.
The hotel has yet to respond publicly to the lawsuit, but the family’s fight for justice continues. Terril Johnson’s family and their attorneys are determined to hold the hotel accountable for their actions, hoping to prevent such a tragedy from happening to anyone else.
Closing Line
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
The death of Terril Johnson is a tragic reminder of the importance of safety and responsibility in public accommodations. His family’s pursuit of justice aims to hold the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites San Jose Airport accountable for their negligence, with the hope that no one else will have to endure such a devastating experience.
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