Boeing whistleblower John Barnett took his own life, police said on Friday, after concluding their investigation into the case. Barnett, who worked as a former manager at the aerospace manufacturing firm, was found dead in his truck in March following several days of depositions in South Carolina.
The 62-year-old's death was discovered after he failed to appear for his second day of depositions in a lawsuit against Boeing. His lawyers called for a wellness check, and Barnett was found with a gunshot wound to his left temple. He had a pistol in his right hand, and police said that the injuries were self-inflicted. Investigators also found a single shell casing in the truck and a suicide note on the passenger seat.
The coroner's report, which has been released, has confirmed suicide. "All findings were consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound," Fox News reported, quoting the report from Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal.
Furthermore, the contents of the suicide note have been revealed, in which John Barnett wrote, "I can't do this any longer. Enough."
He also wrote, "F*** Boeing" and a "I love you all" to his family and friends, The New York Post reported.
"I found my purpose. I am at peace," the suicide note read.
Authorities said they have authenticated the handwriting as that of John Barnett's because only his fingerprints were found on the notebook.
Police also said that the Boeing whistleblower was locked inside his truck alone when they found him, along with the key fob. They didn't find any sign of unusual travel patterns or communications in his phone records, and hotel surveillance video also showed Barnett leaving the place alone before reversing into a car park shortly after. No one came or went from his vehicle until he was discovered dead, Fox News reported.
Additionally, police said records showed John Barnett bought the handgun legally in 2000.
John Barnett was a longtime Boeing employee and worked as a quality-control manager before he retired in 2017. Later, he shared his concerns with journalists, saying he noticed discarded metal shavings near wiring for the flight controls of Boeing planes that could've cut the wiring and caused a catastrophe. He also noted problems with up to a quarter of the oxygen systems on Boeing 787 planes.
Barnett was suing Boeing, alleging he had been harassed, retaliated against and spied on by the firm.
"Information and records reviewed during the investigation uncovered Mr. Barnett’s longstanding mental health challenges, which had intensified in connection with ongoing legal proceedings related to his whistleblower case," The Associated Press reported, quoting the police.
