Prior to his death, whistleblower John Barnett was testifying against Boeing over concerns about standards.

John Barnett had worked for Boeing for 32 years, until his retirement in 2017.

In the days before his death, he had been giving evidence in a whistleblower lawsuit against the company.

Boeing said it was saddened to hear of Mr Barnett’s passing. The Charleston County coroner confirmed his death to the BBC on Monday.

It said the 62-year-old had died from a “self-inflicted” wound on 9 March and police were investigating.

  • brbposting@sh.itjust.works
    505·
    8 months ago

    An investor could’ve threatened his family? (So not directly Boeing)

    If he got a bunch of hate online, or had crippling anxiety about the testimony he still had to give? I mean you could even speculate he thought he would be killed someday, so he took it into his own hands.

    (Please note the above is all BS!)

    I would argue the jury is still out and that we may never know.

    • meco03211@lemmy.world
      472·
      8 months ago

      Direct involvement might be a question still. But general involvement is absolute. If Boeing wasn’t so shitty he almost assuredly would still be alive.

      • brbposting@sh.itjust.works
        191·
        8 months ago

        I suppose even if nobody ever said a word to him you could make that argument. No poor business practices = no testimony = no car in a hotel parking lot.

    • rottingleaf@lemmy.zip
      41·
      8 months ago

      An investor could’ve threatened his family? (So not directly Boeing)

      Or somebody involved in corporate corruption and embezzling in Boeing. That would be worse for Boeing as a whole than him remaining alive, but possibly better for that somebody who may not be identified.