Your tip
RadarOnlineRadarOnline
or
Sign in with lockrMail
BREAKING NEWS

'No One Can Believe It': Boeing Whistleblower's Lawyers Question His Mysterious Death, Demand Answers From Cops

Embedded Image

March 12 2024, Published 7:00 p.m. ET

Link to FacebookShare to XShare to FlipboardShare to Email
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

John Barnett, the former quality control manager for Boeing until 2017, was in the "midst of" the whistleblowing case when he allegedly took his own life — but his attorneys are demanding answers from police, seemingly calling his sudden passing suspicious, considering the timing and Barnett's positive outlook on the future, RadarOnline.com has learned.

Article continues below advertisement
Embedded Image
Source: MEGA

Barnett was found dead in the parking lot of a hotel in South Carolina over the weekend.

The former Boeing employee was allegedly in good spirits and looking forward to putting the retaliation lawsuit against Boeing behind him. Barnett's legal team, Robert Turkewitz and Brian Knowles, who were repping him in the legal battle, said their client was "in the midst of a deposition in his whistleblower retaliation case, which finally was nearing the end," making his alleged suicide that more mysterious.

Article continues below advertisement
Embedded Image
Source: Katelyn Gillespie/www.hixsonbrothers.com

Police said he died from an apparent "self-inflicted" gunshot wound.

Article continues below advertisement

As RadarOnline.com reported, the 62-year-old was found dead in the parking lot of a hotel in South Carolina over the weekend. The Charleston County Coroner's Office said Barnett died from an apparent “self-inflicted” gunshot wound; however, not everyone believes it's an open-and-shut case.

Article continues below advertisement

"We didn't see any indication he would take his own life. No one can believe it," Turkewitz and Knowles told TMZ, adding that Barnett was excited about moving on from the legal battle with the airline giant.

They also revealed they're looking for more answers from law enforcement.

Article continues below advertisement
Embedded Image
Source: MEGA

Barnett filed the lawsuit because he believed that Boeing retaliated against him after his several attempts at sounding the alarm on safety issues.

MORE ON:
NEWS

DAILY. BREAKING. CELEBRITY NEWS. ALL FREE.

Article continues below advertisement

"We are all devastated. We need more information about what happened to John," his attorneys stated. "The Charleston police need to investigate this fully and accurately and tell the public what they find out. No detail can be left unturned."

Never miss a story — sign up for the RadarOnline.com newsletter to get your daily dose of dope. Daily. Breaking. Celebrity news. All free.

Article continues below advertisement

Barnett's death came after he gave his formal deposition and was questioned by Boeing's attorneys last week and was allegedly scheduled to undergo additional questioning on Saturday, according to the BBC.

His legal team said Barnett filed the lawsuit because he believed that Boeing retaliated against him after his several attempts at sounding the alarm on safety issues he thought the bosses were turning a blind eye to.

Article continues below advertisement
Embedded Image
Source: Debbie Downey/www.hixsonbrothers.com

Barnett's lawyers said he was in good spirits before his shocking death, adding there were no indications he would allegedly take his own life.

Article continues below advertisement

Barnett alleged that Boeing had allowed “sub-standard” parts to be fitted onto Boeing 787 Dreamliners — reportedly knowing the safety risks. He also took issues with Boeing 737 Max planes, which, ironically, was the model where an emergency exit door blew off after takeoff in January.

There have since been several scary incidents with the Boeings that Barnett took issue with, including this week's flight from Australia to New Zealand, in which the plan began to drop from the sky over apparent massive equipment failure.

Article continues below advertisement

Boeing released a statement about Barnett's shocking death. "We are saddened by Mr. Barnett’s passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends," the company said.

Barnett's family revealed he allegedly had post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety after working 35 years at Boeing.

“John told us that every day was a battle to get management to do the right thing,” the family statement read. “He was looking forward to having his day in court and hoped that it would force Boeing to change its culture.”

More From Radar Online

    Opt-out of personalized ads

    © Copyright 2024 RADAR ONLINE™️. A DIVISION OF MYSTIFY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK INC. RADAR ONLINE is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.