Boeing whistleblower John Barnett discovered lifeless in US

Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, 62, was discovered lifeless in his truck in a resort car parking zone in South Carolina over the weekend.

Barnett blew the whistle on alleged security issues on the plane manufacturing big and had been giving proof in a lawsuit towards the corporate in current days, in keeping with the BBC that first reported the information.

The Charleston Metropolis Police Division is investigating Barnett’s demise, the workplace of Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal mentioned.

Barnett’s former employer, Boeing, expressed condolences at his passing. “We’re saddened by Mr Barnett’s passing, and our ideas are along with his household and buddies,” the Seattle-based plane producer was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera.

Barnett labored with Boeing for greater than three many years until his retirement in 2017.

Barnett, who had voiced security considerations on the airline’s manufacturing services, gave his preliminary testimony simply days earlier than he was discovered lifeless from what seemed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, in keeping with what the Charleston County coroner advised the BBC.

In 2019, Barnett alleged that Boeing deliberately used faulty components in its planes and warned that passengers on its 787 Dreamliner may face an absence of oxygen if a sudden decompression occurred.

At the moment, Boeing refuted Barnett’s assertions, stating that the corporate follows the strictest security protocols.

On Saturday, US prosecutors initiated a prison inquiry into an incident the place a Boeing 737 MAX, flown by Alaska Airways, skilled a mid-air fuselage rupture.

In response to stories by the Wall Road Journal and The Washington Put up, the Division of Justice (DOJ) has been conducting interviews with witnesses, together with the flight crew, as a part of its investigation into the occasion that befell on 5 January, the place a part of the plane’s physique tore away through the flight.

Barnett had been staying at a resort to supply a deposition within the whistleblower lawsuit towards the corporate.

His legal professional Brian Knowles advised TMZ that he had specific doubt in regards to the circumstances of his demise.

“Right now is a tragic day,” Mr Knowles wrote in an electronic mail to Company Crime Reporter. “John had been forwards and backwards for fairly a while getting ready. The defence examined him for his or her allowed seven hours below the principles on Thursday.”

“When you perceive what’s taking place within Boeing, you’ll see why we’re seeing these sorts of points,” Barnett advised ABC Information in Australia in late January.

If you’re experiencing emotions of misery, or are struggling to manage, you possibly can communicate to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), electronic mail [email protected], or go to the Samaritans web site to search out particulars of your nearest department.

If you’re primarily based within the USA, and also you or somebody you understand wants psychological well being help proper now, name the Nationwide Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). It is a free, confidential disaster hotline that’s accessible to everybody 24 hours a day, seven days every week.