Featured Image Credit: ABC News 4
Topics: News, US News, Mental Health
Callum Jones
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
A Boeing whistleblower who was tragically found dead last week made a shocking prediction to family after raising concerns before his death, according to a close family friend.
John Barnett knew all the ins and all the outs at Boeing after three decades of service at the company.
After his retirement, he expressed concerns about Boeing's production standards and safety.
Advert
Barnett had been a Boeing quality manager making the 787 Dreamliner at the North Charleston plant in South Carolina for seven years.
Beginning in 2010, the 62-year-old left the role in 2017.
In 2019, Barnett decided to speak out regarding safety concerns with oxygen masks on the plane.
He claimed to have uncovered series issues with the oxygen systems that could lead to one in four masks not working on the plane in an emergency situation, accordion to a report by BBC News.
Boeing denies his claims.
Barnett had been giving evidence during a lawsuit against the firm - but was found dead in his car on 9 March.
Charleston County coroner stated Barnett died from an apparent 'self-inflicted' wound believed to have been caused by gunshot.
"We are saddened by Mr. Barnett’s passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends," Boeing said in a statement.
Sergeant Anthony Gibson of the Charleston Police Department said: "We understand the global attention this case has garnered, and it is our priority to ensure that the investigation is not influenced by speculation but is led by facts and evidence.
"Given the sensitive nature of the investigation, we are unable to participate in media interviews at this time.
"This stance is not unique to this case but is a standard procedure we adhere to in order to preserve the integrity of active investigations."
Meanwhile, Barnett's lawyer, Brian Knowles, cast doubts that Barnett died from a 'self-inflicted' gunshot wound.
Now, speaking to ABC News 4, a family friend of Barnett's called Jennifer revealed the chilling prediction he made before his death.
Jennifer claims Barnett told her not to believe any reports of his suicide if he died suddenly.
The family friend claimed that Barnett insisted 'I ain't scared' before adding 'but if anything happens to me it's not suicide'.
"I know he did not commit suicide there's no way," she claims.
"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.
"I think somebody didn't like what he had to say and wanted to shut him up and didn't want it to come back on anyone so that's why they made it look like a suicide."
UNILAD has reached out to Charleston Police Department for comment.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741