An extensive law enforcement investigation has concluded that the cause of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett’s death was suicide. Barnett was found dead from a gunshot wound in his car in a hotel parking lot in Charleston, South Carolina, where he had been giving testimony in his whistleblower case against the aerospace company. Initial reports indicated that Barnett’s death was an apparent suicide, but further investigation was conducted at the request of his family and attorneys due to speculation of foul play on social media.
Documents released by the Charleston Police Department confirm that Barnett’s death was ruled a suicide. Evidence such as a ballistics report and autopsy results supported this conclusion, as well as a notebook found with Barnett containing what the police described as a suicide note. The note expressed Barnett’s love for his family and friends, along with statements indicating his inability to continue and a hope for Boeing to be held accountable for his grievances.
Barnett’s family and attorneys have been vocal about holding Boeing responsible for the treatment that led to his death. Barnett had worked at Boeing for 32 years, eventually becoming a whistleblower at the South Carolina factory that builds the 787 Dreamliner. He raised concerns about safety issues and retaliation for speaking out, ultimately resigning in 2017 due to job-related stress. His whistleblower case against Boeing included allegations of safety concerns and retaliatory actions by the company.
Boeing has stated that they had addressed quality issues raised by Barnett before his retirement, expressing sadness over his passing and offering condolences to his family. The investigation into Barnett’s death revealed that he had suffered from mental health issues related to the whistleblower case, which were exacerbated by his legal involvement. Barnett’s family has expressed a commitment to continuing his whistleblower case, which is set to go to trial in September.
For those in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, resources such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988. Additional mental health care resources and support can be accessed through The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine. The tragic death of John Barnett sheds light on the challenges faced by whistleblowers and the importance of mental health support for those involved in legal battles against powerful entities.
