The shocking death of John Barnett, a Boeing whistleblower who raised serious concerns about the company’s safety and production standards, has been confirmed as a suicide by Charleston police. Barnett, 62, was found dead in his truck on March 9 with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Details of the Incident
Barnett, a former quality manager at Boeing, was discovered in a vehicle at a Holiday Inn parking lot in Charleston, South Carolina. Police had been conducting a welfare check after Barnett failed to attend a deposition related to his lawsuit against the aviation company.
According to the police report, Barnett was found in the driver’s seat, holding a handgun, with a note left in the truck. “We didn’t see any indication he would take his own life. No one can believe it,” stated Barnett’s lawyers, Robert Turkewitz and Brian Knowles, expressing disbelief over his sudden death.
Investigation Conclusion
The Charleston Police Department, concluding their investigation, confirmed the findings of the Charleston County Coroner’s Office that Barnett had indeed taken his own life. The report noted that Barnett was shot in the head at close range and the weapon was found in his right hand.
Additionally, a notebook found in the car indicated that Barnett was experiencing serious personal distress. “As this investigation comes to a close, we should not forget it represents the loss of Mr. Barnett’s life,” police stated, extending their sympathies to Barnett’s family.
Boeing’s Response
Boeing, in a statement issued in March, expressed sadness over Barnett’s death, stating, “Our thoughts are with his family and friends.” The company could not immediately be reached for further comment following the release of the investigation report.
Barnett’s Whistleblowing Efforts
Barnett, who had worked at the company for decades, publicly voiced his concerns in 2019. He revealed to the New York Times that he had discovered unsafe wiring clusters in Boeing’s manufacturing processes. Barnett warned that these defects could potentially lead to catastrophic aircraft failures.
“As a quality manager at Boeing, you’re the last line of defense before a defect makes it out to the flying public,” Barnett told the Times. “And I haven’t seen a plane out of Charleston yet that I’d put my name on saying it’s safe and airworthy.”
Boeing’s Safety Record
Following Barnett’s revelations, Boeing has faced several high-profile safety lapses. Most notably, a door plug blowout on a 737 Max shortly after takeoff in January led the US Justice Department to announce potential criminal prosecution against the company for its safety history.
Brad Zaback, a site leader at the Charleston plant and general manager of the 787 program, previously defended the company in response to Barnett’s claims. Zaback argued that the New York Times report painted “a skewed and inaccurate picture of the program and our team.”
He asserted that quality is integral to the company’s identity, and the plant delivers the highest quality airplanes.
Looking Ahead
John Barnett’s tragic death underscores the immense pressures faced by whistleblowers and highlights ongoing concerns about Boeing’s safety practices. His brave efforts to bring attention to potential dangers in aircraft manufacturing will not be forgotten.
