John Barnett, longtime employee of aircraft manufacturer Boeing who had turned whistleblower, was found dead from a gunshot wound in what appears to be a suicide, according to authorities.
Barnett, a 26-year employee for the airplane manufacturer and defense contrator, had been involved in a lawsuit against the company amid scrutiny over its manufacturing standards and recent airline incidents.
Boeing expressed sorrow over Barnett’s death, stating, “We are saddened by Mr. Barnett’s passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
The BBC reported, citing Barnett’s attorney, that he was in Charleston, South Carolina, for legal proceedings related to his case against Boeing but failed to appear for interviews on Saturday. Police found him deceased from a gunshot wound in his truck in a hotel parking lot.
The Charleston Coroner ruled Barnett’s death a suicide, but the investigation continues, with many, including reporter Nick Sortor, highlighting the timing and circumstances as “extremely suspicious.”
Sortor noted on X, “This comes just a FEW DAYS after ex-Boeing employee John Barnett began handing over key pieces of evidence in a lawsuit alleging the airplane manufacturer covered up safety concerns.”
Boeing faced increased scrutiny after a door blew off a Boeing 737 Max during a Jan. 5 Alaska Airlines flight. The incident, along with previous investigations into the 737 Max following two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019, raised concerns about Boeing’s safety standards. Subsequent incidents involving other Boeing models have suggested widespread issues within the company.
A Boeing 747 caught fire over Miami, Florida, in January due to an engine malfunction, necessitating an emergency landing. In February, parts of a Boeing 757 wing detached during a United Airlines flight. Earlier this month, a car was damaged by a Boeing 777 tire that fell off during takeoff.
A suicide note was reportedly found next to Barnett, who was discovered in his truck with a gun in his hand. Police noted a gunshot wound near his right temple and a white piece of paper, resembling a note, in the passenger seat. The contents of the note have not been disclosed.
Barnett’s attorneys have expressed disbelief at the notion he would take his own life, emphasizing his positive outlook toward the conclusion of his whistleblower case. Brian Knowles, Barnett’s lawyer, questioned the suicide ruling, referring to Barnett’s death as an “alleged” self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Knowles detailed Barnett’s recent legal activities and the events leading to the discovery of his death, calling for a thorough investigation by Charleston police to uncover the full circumstances surrounding Barnett’s demise.
NEW: 62-year-old Boeing whistleblower John Barnett found dead in his truck after he didn't show up for a legal interview linked to a case against Boeing.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 11, 2024
Barnett worked for Boeing for 32 years and retired in 2017. After retiring, Barnett spoke out about how Boeing was cutting… pic.twitter.com/k3zOqH0REv
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="26512 https://www.themainewire.com/?p=26512">3 Comments
Suicide my arse.
Boeing: “Hello Hillary, we need your expertise on this one…”
“Wait, we can’t afford that fee…”
“Call Vinny.”
Was it the kind of suicide where you shoot yourself 3 times in the back of the head? In the political climate that exists in America today one has to surely wonder in this kind of a case. Marxists are pretty good at eliminating criticism.