The death of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett has officially been ruled a suicide following an extensive law enforcement investigation, according to documents released by the Charleston Police Department on Friday. Barnett, 62, was found deceased in his car on March 9 in the parking lot of his hotel in Charleston, South Carolina, where he was providing testimony in his whistleblower case against Boeing. The initial investigation by the county coroner had indicated an “apparent” suicide, but further investigation was conducted due to requests from Barnett’s family and attorneys, and widespread speculation suggesting possible foul play.
Documents released confirm that officials have now accepted suicide as the cause of death. The investigation concluded after receiving a ballistics report confirming the bullet was fired from the gun found in Barnett’s hand, and an autopsy report from the coroner’s office confirming suicide. Investigators also detailed a notebook found in the passenger seat next to Barnett, containing what police described as a suicide note.
The note, a copy of which was released, revealed Barnett expressing his love for family and friends, alongside statements of despair such as “I can’t do this any longer” and a final plea, “I pray Boeing pays.”
In a statement, a Charleston police spokesperson addressed the public interest and sensitivity surrounding the case, emphasizing, “It is important to emphasize that our investigation was guided strictly by facts and evidence while remaining undisturbed by conjecture and external pressures.” An attorney representing Barnett and his family has not yet issued a public response.
Barnett’s mother, Vicky Stokes, previously told CBS News in April that she holds Boeing accountable for the prolonged stress and treatment that she believes drove her son to despair. When asked if she blamed Boeing for her son’s death, Stokes stated, “If this hadn’t gone on so long, I’d still have my son… So in that respect, I do.”
John Barnett dedicated 32 years of his career to Boeing, spending the last seven as a quality manager at the South Carolina factory producing the 787 Dreamliner. He became a whistleblower due to concerns about the company’s practices, resigning in 2017 citing job-related stress. Prior to his resignation, he had filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which found no reasonable cause to believe Boeing violated whistleblower laws. Subsequently, in 2021, Barnett launched a lawsuit alleging numerous safety issues, including titanium shavings near electrical wiring, faulty oxygen tanks, and pressure from managers to compromise on quality.
His brother, Rodney Barnett, recounted to CBS News that John felt retaliated against for raising concerns, describing instances where he was “embarrassed at meetings; he would be called out.” Rodney emphasized his brother’s unwavering commitment to doing what was right, stating, “He thought of himself as trying to do the right thing. And that’s what bothered him, that nobody would listen as to what was going on there.”
Boeing stated to CBS News last month that they had addressed the quality concerns raised by Barnett prior to his retirement in 2017. In a public statement, the company expressed, “We are saddened by Mr. Barnett’s passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
For years, Barnett pursued his whistleblower retaliation lawsuit against Boeing. The police investigation into his death included a review of Barnett’s medical records and cellphone communications, revealing that he “suffered from numerous mental health issues related to the whistleblower case,” which were “exacerbated” by the legal proceedings.
Despite this tragic outcome, Barnett’s family intends to continue his whistleblower case, with a trial expected to commence in September.
If you or someone you know is struggling with emotional distress or suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help by calling or texting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also access online chat support through their website.
For additional resources and support regarding mental health care, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine is available at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or via email at [email protected], Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. ET.
