Veteran, Who Traveled for Granddaughter’s College Graduation, Allegedly ‘Boiled Alive’ in Hotel Shower: Lawsuit

YOU NEED TO KNOW

• A Marine Corps veteran was allegedly “boiled alive” in a hotel bathtub in a wrongful death lawsuit

• Terril Johnson was staying in San Jose for her grandson’s college graduation when the alleged incident occurred.

• His family are now aiming for a jury trial for what they call a “horrible and completely preventable tragedy”.

“A grandfather allegedly lost his life”“boiled alive” One lawsuit states he was in a hotel bathtub.

Terril Johnson, 77, was staying at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites at San Jose Airport on May 22, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed Oct. 15 in the California Supreme Court. His family said they found him “unresponsive” and “partially submerged in dangerously hot water that they could not touch without burning themselves.”

Johnson, a Marine Corps veteran, was at the hotel the next day to attend his grandson’s graduation ceremony from San Jose State University, according to the lawsuit.

His family said they “struggled desperately” to save him in the bathtub and watched “in horror” as his skin was peeled off his body.

First responders pronounced Johnson dead at the scene, according to the lawsuit.

The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death to be “severe scald burns to the neck, trunk and extremities complicating high blood pressure.”

Johnson suffered burns to approximately 33.5% of his body, including his neck and torso, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit filed by the Johnson family alleges that the hotel violated a state plumbing code that requires showers to be equipped with a valve to limit maximum water temperature.

Johnson’s relatives described the incident as a “horrible and completely preventable tragedy.” The family is now seeking unspecified damages at a jury trial.

Johnson, a husband and father of two, was from Fort Wayne, Ind., where he graduated from high school “at the top of his class,” according to the lawsuit. After serving in the Vietnam War, he attended Indiana Tech and Ivy Tech and later also taught.

“Terril was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, remembered for his faith, work ethic, mentorship and commitment to family and community,” the lawsuit said of Johnson, adding that he was “in good spirits and enjoying retirement” at the time of his death.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, a son and four grandchildren.

Never miss a story — sign up PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter To stay up to date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling juicy stories.

PEOPLE reached out to Marriott but did not immediately receive a response.

Read the original article People