According to a report released by the Charleston Police Department in South Carolina on Friday (May 17), whistleblower John Barnett, from aircraft manufacturing giant Boeing, was reported to have “died by suicide,” thus concluding the investigation into this death.
Media reports stated that on March 9 of this year, 62-year-old Barnett was found dead in his car with gunshot wounds. Local authorities announced after investigation a preliminary ruling of suicide.
Barnett had worked at Boeing for 32 years, serving as a quality control manager. He resigned in 2017 citing work-related stress. After resigning, Barnett exposed quality issues at Boeing to the media. In 2021, he filed a lawsuit alleging a series of safety issues at Boeing, such as titanium fragments, oxygen masks, and defective components.
Just days before his passing, Barnett was providing testimony in a whistleblower case related to the production of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The case is scheduled for trial in September this year.
Barnett’s two lawyers stated in a release that there were “no indications that he would commit suicide. No one would believe that,” calling for a thorough and accurate investigation by law enforcement.
Barnett’s death sparked controversy, with over 25,000 people signing a petition urging the Department of Justice to investigate both the cause of Barnett’s death and the death of Boeing’s second whistleblower, Joshua Dean, who died after contracting a bacterial infection.
On Friday (May 17), the police concluded a re-examination of Barnett’s death, with the Charleston County Coroner’s Office determining Barnett’s death as suicide. The investigation found that Barnett had been shot at close range in the head, with the weapon found in his right hand.
Police also revealed a notebook found at the scene of the incident, with writings indicating “he was going through a serious personal pain.” It also contained multiple condemnations of Boeing.
The police stated, “At this difficult time, we offer our deepest sympathy to his family and hope they find the strength to persevere in the days ahead.”
Boeing has not yet responded to the results of the police investigation. Last month, Boeing issued a statement through the media stating that it had reviewed and addressed quality issues raised by Barnett before his retirement in 2017. The company also expressed grief over Barnett’s passing and offered condolences to his family and friends.