Boeing Whistleblower's Suicide Note Blames Company for Death

The suicide note of John Barnett, a former Boeing whistleblower, has been released, in which he blames the company for his death. Barnett had accused Boeing of pressuring workers to disregard safety procedures, leading to defective parts being installed on airplanes.

The suicide note of John Barnett, a former Boeing whistleblower, has been released to the public, revealing the extent of his mental anguish and his belief that the company was responsible for his death.

Barnett, who spent 12 years conducting inspections on 737 fuselages for one of Boeing's suppliers, had accused the aerospace giant of pressuring workers to disregard safety procedures, leading to defective parts being installed on airplanes.

In his suicide note, written in all capital letters and laced with expletives, Barnett explicitly blamed Boeing for his death. "F--- Boeing!!!" he wrote, telling his family and friends that he loved them. "I can't do this any longer," he wrote. "Enough!"

Barnett's lawyers, Robert Turekwitz and Brian Knowles, released a statement after the suicide note was made public, saying that it "makes clear that while Boeing may not have pulled the trigger, the company is responsible for his death."

They noted that investigators determined Barnett was suffering from PTSD, anxiety, and panic attacks before his death, which they attributed to the retaliation and hostile work environment he faced after reporting his concerns.

Barnett's suicide has reignited scrutiny of Boeing's safety practices and raised questions about the company's handling of whistleblowers.

In March, Barnett was found dead in his truck in South Carolina, having missed a deposition in a lawsuit against Boeing. His death was ruled a suicide by the Charleston County Coroner's Office.

Barnett's accusations had centered on Boeing's 737 Max jets, which were grounded worldwide for 20 months after two fatal crashes. The planes have since returned to service, but Barnett had expressed concerns about their safety.

In January, Barnett told TMZ that he was concerned that Boeing was returning the 737 Max 9 jets to the sky too quickly, after an incident in which an Alaska Airlines jet's door panel blew off mid-flight.

Unrelated to Barnett's lawsuit, Boeing's CEO Dave Calhoun announced he would be resigning by the end of the year amid the company's ongoing struggles.

Boeing has not commented on Barnett's suicide note but has previously denied his allegations of safety violations.

Barnett's family has expressed their hope that his legacy will be his "brave and courageous efforts to get Boeing to change its culture of concealment to one that places quality and safety first."