In 2017, during the filming of a scene for Season 8 of The Walking Dead, actor Austin Amelio was on a small balcony with stuntman John Bernecker. Tragically, Bernecker fell over the balcony, missing the safety pads by two feet and landing head-first on concrete. He succumbed to severe head injuries two days later.
Two years later, Bernecker’s estate received a favorable judgment in a wrongful death lawsuit. Although AMC Studios was not found negligent, the court awarded the family an $8.6 million settlement for civil damages.
The Tragic Death of The Walking Dead Stuntman John Bernecker
John Bernecker tragically passed away on July 13 2017 due to a head injury sustained during a fall while filming an episode of The Walking Dead‘s eighth season in Atlanta. Bernecker, a seasoned Hollywood stuntman since 2009, contributed to major films such as Logan and The Fate of the Furious.
The accident occurred during what was supposed to be a balcony fight and fall, according to on-set sources speaking to Deadline. Bernecker reportedly lost his footing and fell onto the concrete floor. Estimates vary but suggest he fell from a height between 20 to 30 feet. AMC announced the heartbreaking news in a statement stating (via The Hollywood Reporter),
We are saddened to report that John Bernecker, a talented stuntman for ‘The Walking Dead’ and numerous other television shows and films, suffered serious injuries from a tragic accident on set. He was immediately transported to an Atlanta hospital and we have temporarily shut down production.
Austin Amelio who was present during the incident recounted his emotional testimony to the jury during the trial of The Walking Dead stuntman. He described witnessing the entire incident, expressing profound shock and stating it was the most devastating day of his life. It was truly one tragic incident.
What Went On Inside the Courtroom During the Trial of John Bernecker’s Tragic Death?
In the aftermath of the trial concerning the wrongful death of The Walking Dead stuntman John Bernecker, a Georgia jury delivered its verdict in 2019. The jury announced unanimously that AMC Networks was deemed “not to be negligent” in Bernecker’s tragic passing. Despite this finding, the family of Bernecker, represented by his mother, was awarded a substantial $8.6 million in civil damages. The jury clarified there would be no punitive damages as per Deadline reports.
The jury determined that Bernecker was classified as an independent contractor rather than an employee of the production company Stalwart Films.
The trial proceedings were marked by emotional testimonies and detailed examination of the events leading to Bernecker’s fatal fall during a stunt scene. From the initial accident to the ongoing legal proceedings, the case once more highlighted concerns about on-set safety.
The Walking Dead is streaming on AMC+.
