Gerrard Kaonga
The family of a Boeing whistleblower who police say killed himself have launched a new lawsuit against the aviation company.
John Barnett had worked for Boeing for over thirty years and it was only after he retired in 2017 that he decided to blow the lid of alleged issues with the airline.
The 62-year-old argued the company had less than satisfactory production standards and highlighted particular issues with the 787 Dreamliner at the North Charleston plant in South Carolina, an aircraft that was being manufactured from 2010 up until he retired.
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In 2019, he spoke to media outlets and said that workers felt pressured to fit sub-standard parts to aircraft on the production line and claimed that oxygen masks on the plane could lead to one in four masks not working in an emergency situation.
His revelations resulted in a lawsuit where Barnett was set to provide evidence for, however, police confirmed that they had found his body dead in his car.
Authorities concluded that he had died from a single gunshot wound to his left temple March 2024.
They also revealed that Barnett left a note that condemned Boeing and others for ‘destroying his life’.
His family has now launched a wrongful death lawsuit against Boeing, claiming the company subjected him to a 'campaign of harassment, abuse and intimidation intended to discourage, discredit and humiliate him until he would either give up or be discredited.'
It was filed this Wednesday by his mother, Vicky Stokes, and his brothers, Rodney and Michael in South Carolina and says that Barnett’s death came days after answering questions from attorneys for several days.
In the attorney’s court papers, it read: “Boeing had threatened to break John, and break him it did.”
In Barnett’s letter he was clearly explicit of his frustrations with the company.
He wrote: “I can’t do this any longer! Enough!
“F*** Boeing.
“America, come together or die!! I pray the mother****** that destroyed my life pay!!! I pray Boeing pays!!! Bury me face down so Boeing and their lying-ass leaders can kiss my ass.”
Authorities confirmed that the handwriting had been authenticated and belongs to Barnett, along with matching fingerprints from the notebook to the ex-Boeing staffer.
In a statement to UNILAD Boeing said: “We are saddened by Mr. Barnett’s passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends."
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.