A police report released on Friday confirmed that Boeing whistleblower John Barnett died by suicide, ending an investigation into the death of an employee who had raised concerns about the safety and production standards of the airplane manufacturer. Barnett had sued Boeing, alleging that the company had unlawfully retaliated against him.
Barnett, aged 62, was discovered deceased in a car in Charleston, South Carolina on March 9 as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police were sent to Barnett’s Holiday Inn location for a welfare check after he missed a deposition in his lawsuit against Boeing, as reported by his attorneys and a police incident report.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Barnett deceased in the driver’s seat of a truck located in the parking lot. He had a gun in his hand. The original police report additionally mentioned the presence of a note inside the truck.
However, Barnett’s attorneys stated after his passing that his deposition was almost finished and he seemed content.
What Barnett’s Autopsy Report say?
As per the autopsy report released on Friday, 62-year-old Barnett was discovered sitting in the driver’s seat of his orange Dodge Ram.
Charleston County deputy coroner Ella Butler noted that his “body was still warm and rigor mortis had not begun” indicating that the bullet had hit him in the right temple.
“The official observed black powder/discoloration on the decedent’s right hand, which seemed to be gunshot residue” as reported by NY Post.
On the vehicle console, there was a semi-automatic Smith & Wesson pistol, a loaded magazine, and unfired 9mm Luger cartridges.
Butler added that a notebook with writing indicating a “suicide note” was discovered on the front seat. As per the coroner, the Charleston Police Department examined the writings and found only Barnett’s fingerprints on the journal. “The texts included data that only his relatives were aware of”.
Barnett suicide note: I Can’t do this any Longer!!!
Butler wrapped up the autopsy report by declaring that the “cause of death” was a gunshot wound to the head and the “manner of death” was ruled as “Suicide.”
Meanwhile, the Charleston Police Department reported “that the note found in his truck indicated that he was experiencing significant personal difficulties.”
According to WMBF News, “the inconsistent writings on the note indicate Barnett’s unhappiness with Boeing and support given to the whistleblower”.
Barnett left a message for his loved ones as well. “Family and friends, I love you,” it says. “I found my purpose! I’m at peace!
Allegation of safety lapses
In 2019, Barnett, a previous quality manager with years of experience at Boeing, revealed to the New York Times that he had found hazardous wiring clusters in Boeing’s production methods that, if cut by metal fragments, could have caused a plane to crash.
Barnett informed the Times that “as a quality manager at Boeing, you serve as the final barrier against defects reaching the public who fly on their aircraft”. I have not yet witnessed a plane departing from Charleston that I would feel comfortable endorsing as being safe and in good condition.
Brad Zaback, a plant site leader and general manager of the 787 program, sent a message to the plant employees which was also shared with CNN, stating that the Times’ reports “paints a skewed and inaccurate picture of the program and of our team (at the plant).”
Zaback stated that the Times refused to tour the plant, emphasizing that “quality is fundamental to our identity” and highlighting that the plant produces “top-notch airplanes.”
After Barnett’s first public alerts regarding Boeing, the company experienced various significant safety and quality failures, such as a door plug blowout on a 737 Max shortly after takeoff in January. This caused the US Justice Department to declare recently that Boeing might be subject to criminal charges due to its past safety issues.
