The cause of death for one of the Boeing whistleblowers, who was scheduled to continue testifying against the aircraft manufacturer, has been disclosed.
John Barnett, a quality control engineer at Boeing for 32 years, tragically passed away in March. The cause of his death was reported as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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According to the Charleston County Coroner, Barnett’s medical records and interviews with his family revealed that he had been experiencing chronic stress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the lawsuit.
According to the report, the cause of death was listed as suicide.
Barnett made serious allegations before his death, claiming that Boeing deliberately utilized faulty parts in its aircraft. He also raised concerns about potential oxygen deprivation for passengers aboard the 787 Dreamliner in the event of sudden decompression.
On February 26, he traveled from Louisiana to Charleston, South Carolina to participate in a deposition for the ongoing lawsuit with Boeing. Boeing attorneys conducted their deposition on March 7, followed by his attorneys the next day.
On March 9th, he was scheduled to continue his testimony. According to the autopsy report, Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal mentioned that Barnett did not answer a courtesy call from his lawyers on that particular day.
According to the report, Barnett was dressed in a sleeveless shirt with multiple colors, denim pants, and a black belt. He held a pistol in his right hand, and investigators later verified the presence of gunshot residue on his hand. In addition, they discovered a lone shell casing in the truck and a suicide note on the passenger seat.
According to the report, surveillance footage revealed that Barnett was seen leaving his hotel and the truck in which he was eventually discovered was observed reversing into a parking spot. The report emphasized that there was no attempt made to interact or establish contact with Mr. Barnett.
The report has been released in response to the recent death of another Boeing whistleblower earlier this month.
Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, tragically passed away in early May, as confirmed by his family. Despite leading an active lifestyle and being perceived as healthy, the 45-year-old succumbed to a rapid infection and passed away in the hospital.
According to Fox59, he battled Influenza B, MRSA, and ultimately succumbed to pneumonia.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Taylor Rae Roberts expressed her deep grief over the loss of her beloved brother Joshua. She shared that he had passed away that morning and joined their baby brother in the afterlife. Taylor expressed the overwhelming pain and questioned how much more her family could bear, admitting that she too was struggling to cope with the loss.
According to Attorney Brian Knowles, who represented both individuals, he referred to them as “heroes” with a genuine desire to assist the company in improving its performance.
In an interview with The Independent, he expressed his concern about the potential negative impact of the unfortunate incidents involving Josh and John. He emphasized the importance of not allowing these incidents to discourage others from speaking up. He also acknowledged that there are other individuals who have experienced similar situations and urged them to come forward.
According to Mr. Knowles, there are at least ten other Boeing whistleblowers, both former and current employees, who are “safe and sound.”
Days after Dean’s death, Santiago Paredes, a former quality manager for Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing’s largest supplier, and the company responsible for manufacturing a significant portion of the 737 Max aircraft, revealed that he had faced pressure to downplay any defects he discovered while inspecting the plane’s fuselages.
In an interview with CBS and the BBC, Mr. Paredes revealed that he spent around ten years working at Spirit AeroSystems in Kansas. His role involved conducting final inspections on 737 fuselages before they were sent to Boeing.
If you are feeling distressed or finding it difficult to cope, you can reach out to the Samaritans for support. They are available to listen and provide assistance in confidence. You can contact them at 116 123 (UK and ROI), send an email to [email protected], or visit their website to locate the nearest branch.
If you or someone you know in the USA is in need of immediate mental health assistance, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This confidential crisis hotline is available 24/7 to provide free support. For individuals outside the USA, you can visit www.befrienders.org to locate a helpline in your area.
