Days before his body was discovered, Boeing whistleblower John Barnett issued an eight-word warning to his family and friends: “if anything happens to me, it's not suicide.” The 62-year-old was found dead in his truck at a hotel car park in Charleston, South Carolina, from a gunshot wound—an apparent act of self-harm.
Warning to Loved Ones
Barnett, who worked as a quality inspector at Boeing between 1985 and 2017, had accused the company of fitting numerous aircraft with sub-standard parts. He also claimed workers were under pressure on the assembly line to do so.
His friend, known as Jennifer, previously told WPDE: “I said, 'Aren't you scared?' And he said, 'No, I ain't scared, but if anything happens to me, it's not suicide.'” She added: “I know that he did not commit suicide. There's no way. He loved life too much. He loved his family too much. He loved his brothers too much to put them through what they're going through right now.”
Allegations of Staged Death
Jennifer alleged that someone “shut him up” as they “didn't like what he had to say,” adding that the death in March 2024 was allegedly “staged” to look like he had killed himself. She said: “That's why they made it look like a suicide. I don't care what they say, I know that he didn't do that.”
Barnett had alleged Boeing was using sub-standard parts, some of which were literally taken from scrap bins, to build their planes to prevent delays. A 2017 review by the Federal Aviation Administration upheld concerns, requiring action from Boeing.
Legal and Documentary Spotlight
Barnett's legal representative questioned the coroner's office findings, which said the gunshot wound was “self-inflicted.” Contents of an alleged note found at the scene have yet to be revealed, though his lawyer says his client, who was found with a “gunshot wound near his right temple,” was in good spirits.
The case is covered in a Netflix documentary, called Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing, which recently launched on the streaming giant. Boeing reportedly declined to cooperate for the documentary.
Last year, it was reported that Boeing had reached a settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by Barnett's mum. In a statement, the firm said: “We are saddened by Mr. Barnett’s death and extend our condolences to his family as we reach this resolution. Boeing took actions several years ago to review and address the issues that Mr. Barnett raised.”
