Investigators in Charleston, South Carolina have released their findings in the death of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, who was found dead in his truck in March after missing his second day of depositions in a lawsuit against the aerospace manufacturer. After Barnett failed to arrive for the proceedings, his lawyers called for a wellness check and he was found with a gunshot wound to the head in the parking lot of his hotel. The coroner’s report confirmed that all findings were consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and the official cause of death was deemed a suicide. Police found Barnett locked inside his vehicle with no signs of unusual travel patterns or communications in his phone records.
Barnett had a pistol in his right hand, gunshot residue on his hand, a single shell casing in the truck, and a suicide note on his passenger seat. Records showed that Barnett legally purchased the handgun in 2000, and his fingerprints were found on the suicide letter. He had been suing Boeing, alleging retaliation, harassment, and spying by the company. One of Barnett’s lawyers stated that he didn’t believe Boeing played a role in Barnett’s death, but also expressed skepticism that Barnett would take his own life. Barnett’s legal team did not immediately comment on the coroner’s findings.
John Barnett had worked for Boeing for over three decades before retiring in 2017 as a quality-control engineer. He had previously spoken out about safety concerns at Boeing, including rushing production on 787 Dreamliner jets and the quick return of 737 Max 9 jets to service after an incident involving an Alaska Airlines jet. Barnett’s statements were unrelated to his lawsuit against Boeing. CEO Dave Calhoun later announced his resignation amid the company’s struggles. Barnett’s death remains a developing story, with updates expected as the investigation continues.
The Charleston County Coroner determined that Barnett’s cause of death was a gunshot wound, with the manner being deemed as suicide. Police found Barnett alone in his locked vehicle with the key fob. Surveillance footage from the hotel showed him leaving by himself and reversing into a parking spot before no one approached the vehicle until the next morning. Barnett’s death came as a shock to many, given his outspoken nature and ongoing legal battle with Boeing. His lawyers have demanded a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, as questions remain about the events leading up to his apparent suicide.
Boeing whistleblower John Barnett’s death has raised suspicions and brought attention to his lawsuit against the aerospace giant. Barnett had claimed that he was being retaliated against, harassed, and spied on by the company, leading to his legal action. Despite the coroner’s findings ruling his death as a suicide, some still question the circumstances surrounding his passing. With details emerging about Barnett’s concerns regarding safety at Boeing and his outspoken nature, his death has prompted calls for further investigation into whether external factors may have played a role. As the story continues to develop, more information may come to light regarding the tragic end to John Barnett’s life.
