Boeing whistleblower found dead after testifying against company left note at crime scene

Boeing whistleblower John Barnett’s suicide note was discovered at the crime scene after the former employee was found dead just days after testifying against the company.

Barnett, 62, worked for the airline for over thirty years and was a quality manager at Boeing before retiring in 2017.

But it was only after his departure that he decided to expose Boeing’s unsatisfactory production standards, particularly the way it manufactured the 787 Dreamliner at its North Charleston plant in South Carolina from 2010 until his retirement.

In 2019, he decided to speak out to BBC News about workers feeling pressured to fit substandard parts into planes on the production line, claiming that oxygen masks on the plane could result in one in four masks failing in an emergency situation functions.

John Barnett is said to have died of “self-inflicted” wounds. Fox 11

His revelation led to a lawsuit against the company Barnett testified for, but was later found dead in his car on Saturday (March 9).

Barnett died of a single gunshot wound to his left temple in his truck in the parking lot of his South Carolina hotel, which the Charleston County coroner determined to be “self-inflicted.”

After much public speculation about his sudden death during such a high-profile case, it has now been revealed that a suicide note had been left in his truck.

Authorities confirmed that the handwriting was authenticated and belonged to Barnett, along with matching fingerprints from the former Boeing employee’s notebook.

The note, written randomly and in different directions on the page, included his frustration with whistleblower protections, his hatred of Boeing and bizarre tidbits.

The note was obtained by The Post and read: “I can’t do this anymore! Enough!

“F*** Boeing.

Boeing’s safety standards have been questioned. Kevin Carter/Getty Images

“America, come together or die!! I pray that the mother who destroyed my life will pay!!! I pray Boeing pays!!! Bury me face down so Boeing and their lying leaders can kiss my ass.”

In the letter, he also shared his love for his friends and family.

He wrote: “To my family and friends: I have found my purpose.

“I have peace. I love you more.”

Barnett also claimed that he was “not high” when he wrote the note and wrote “Trump 2024” in a corner.

After his death was announced, Boeing released a statement saying the company was “saddened” by his death.

It said: “We are saddened by the death of Mr Barnett and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

However, outgoing Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun was re-elected on Friday (May 17) to remain on the company’s board, despite claiming he would seek feedback from customers to find a new CEO.

Barnett’s statement came after part of a Boeing plane exploded mid-flight in January and more recently left passengers on a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flight injured after experiencing “severe movement” during a three-hour journey.

Just yesterday (May 17), a Boeing 747-400 en route to Saudi Arabia had to make an emergency landing after one of its engines caught fire.

Commenters on Reddit suggested that Barnett had been “dragged” through the court system and was at the end of his rope from stress.

Others thought it was an inside job and a conspiracy.

If you or someone you know is struggling or experiencing a mental health crisis, get help through Mental Health America. Call 988, text or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.

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