The Family Assistance Education & Research Foundation (FAERF) has been at the forefront of the evolution of emergency management, combining the head-heart approach for a fully integrated response to survivors of traumatic loss. Practicing compassion consciousness in the workplace involves caring for people first, without exception.
Written by: Carolyn V. Coarsey, Ph.D.
August 2026
“While we understand this is a work of fiction, we believe that the series does a good job capturing the collective efforts made after the bombing by Scottish-US investigators as well as the incredible kindness shown by the Scottish townspeople.”
-Leadership of the Victims of Flight Pan Flight 103, Inc
I recently watched the Netflix program on the Investigation of Pan Am Flight 103, also commonly referred to as Lockerbie. I was able to touch base with Glenn and Carole Johnson, long-term family survivors and supporters of FAERF. Glenn and Carole lost their daughter twenty-one-year-old Beth Ann, a college student who was flying home to spend Christmas with her family. As the tragedy occurred in December 1988, many of our members may not remember the details, while others like me, and other senior Care and Special Assistance Team members remember the details as if they happened yesterday. For those who are not as familiar with the details, highlights of the tragedy are included in the following paragraph.
On December 21, 1988, a Pan American Boeing 747, Flight 103, was brought down by a terrorist’s bomb that exploded over the tiny village of Lockerbie, Scotland, killing all 259 passengers and crew on board, along with 11 village residents, for a total of 270 fatalities. The families in both the US and the UK became organized and have had an enormous influence on supporting family survivors of virtually every airline tragedy since that time. (See Carole and Glenn’s full interview in Handbook for Human Services Response, Coarsey, 2004)
I reached out to Glenn Johnson to learn how the families in their group felt about the Netflix documentary on the investigation of PAA Flight 103.Following is the view of the leadership of the Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc. on the production:
“Please note members of the Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc. were involved with the production of the series which is why we are aware of these details. The Netflix series has been reviewed by members of the board of VPAF103, Inc. While we understand this is a work of fiction, we believe that the series does a good job capturing the collective efforts made after the bombing by Scottish-US investigators as well as the incredible kindness shown by the Scottish townspeople.”
The Incredible Kindness of the Scottish Townspeople
One of my favorite examples of Glenn’s comments about the incredible kindness from the Scottish townspeople shown in the documentary pertained to the recovery and return of the personal belongings. Whereas today, professional companies provide these services for the families, in 1988, this was not a standard process following airline tragedies or other mass casualties. The documentary shows the kindness of female volunteers who organized as a team to provide this invaluable service.
An NTSB investigator I interviewed as part of a study on investigator stress, following the PAA 103 tragedy, described how impressed he was when he saw what seemed like acres of clothes hanging on clotheslines surrounding the town of Lockerbie. He knew the clothes belonged to the passengers and crew who died in the bombing. He expressed how deeply he was touched by the time and effort he knew the compassionate women of the village of Lockerbie had expended for the families. Glenn and Carole described the amazement they experienced when they received Beth Ann’s belongings which were cleaned, folded, and obviously handled with loving care.
Carole and Glenn could not view Beth Ann but were able to learn how she was dressed in her casket. They were told that she wore a white, lovely gown, “like a wedding dress.” The volunteer team took extra time in matching other belongings of the passengers and crew. For example, a theatre ticket was matched to one person’s belongings, as the volunteers felt the ticket stub would allow their family to see some of their last activities, as a memory of good times they had in London.
A Pioneer in Family Assistance – Kathryn Turman
Kathryn Turman served as a special assistant to Senator John Heinz and later joined the FBI’s Victim Services Division, where she became a pivotal advocate for the families of the Pan Am Flight 103 victims.
In the series, her character is depicted as a “doer” who helps transform the FBI and Department of Justice by establishing frameworks for victim support, a role that historically influenced the agency’s response to subsequent tragedies like 9/11. The production team worked closely with the actual Kathryn Turman to ensure an authentic representation of her relentless efforts to secure transparency and compensation for the bereaved families.
Among her many accomplishments, Kathryn made it possible for the families to view the first trial that took place following the extensive search for the group of individuals responsible for the bombing. For the first time in Scottish history, cameras were allowed in court, and the families were made aware of various locations in the US where the live trial could be viewed.
Other Comments from Beth Ann’s Father, Glenn
Following are other comments from Glenn regarding his involvement in the aftermath of the tragedy.
“I will be going to the opening of the trial August 31st. Will attend the first week. Will also attend the weeks of September 14th and 21st. Government paying all expenses for the two weeks. Carole not going. Carole cannot handle watching, so we have not viewed either of the Lockerbie programs. Other members of the VPAF103 families will attend all or most of the trial. I also plan to attend several more times as the trial continues.
Below is a copy of the interview I gave locally. Kim Ward, a long-time friend since she was a supervisor of our township has helped us several times. She is now the Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania Senate in Harrisburg. Under her, I served on the Safety Committee for Hempfield Township. The largest township in Pennsylvania. The article was published this week.
As of last October, at the annual meeting of the VPAF103 at Syracuse University I stepped down as a board member and officer. Over the years I served as Vice-President, Treasurer and Board President. For 19 years I represented the flying public as the VPAF103 stakeholder for the FAA, later, the TSA, on the Aviation Security Advisory Committee. After stepping down in 2021 was awarded Emeritus status.
As President of the VPAF103, I was part of a six-member committee that worked a year and a half to secure a settlement with Libya. The judge in New York appointed two Justice and two State Department members. Our President, Kara Weipz, was the other. We secured the first of three partial settlements and were ready for the second settlement. We had a problem, Libya wanted to provide money but not accept responsibility. At this point, with the help of Kim Ward, Carole and I had a special private meeting with President George W. Bush. He made it plain he would not approve the third settlement unless Libya admitted guilt. This resulted in Libya sending a letter to the UN in New York taking responsibility for the bombing.
I stepped down from the Board after thirty-seven years because it was time for someone else to take leadership, and because of my age. I remain a member of the Advisory Board, attending meetings without a vote. I still work on several committees.”
View the documentary for a history lesson
For an increased understanding of the plight of families who faced and conquered insurmountable challenges, I recommend watching the documentary. As the quest for bringing compassion consciousness into the growing field of humanitarian assistance continues, the program on Netflix can provide a jumpstart in one’s educational process for our younger colleagues, while providing a heartfelt review for those of us who lived it through the stories of the brave and resilient Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc.