John Barnett, a former Boeing employee who raised concerns about the company’s production issues, was found dead of an apparent suicide.
- Barnett had worked at Boeing for 32 years before leaving the company in 2017 and had been involved in efforts to address the company’s production problems.
- The 62-year-old died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Charleston County coroner’s office, which is investigating the incident.
- At the time of his death, Barnett was in the middle of a deposition in a whistle-blower retaliation case against Boeing.
- Barnett’s attorneys expressed shock at his death, stating that he had been in good spirits and looking forward to moving on from the case.
- Barnett was a quality manager at Boeing and had exposed serious safety problems with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, allegedly facing retaliation and a hostile work environment.
- Boeing expressed sadness over Barnett’s passing and extended condolences to his family and friends.