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.

  • Cosmicomical@lemmy.world
    1034·
    8 months ago

    So, the guy was expected to appear in court for thw second round of questioning and when he didn’t show up was found dead in his truck in the underground car park of the hotel. Doesn’t sound like someone that wanted to end it. Maybe I’m wrong but I wouldn’t book a room to go to court and then on a whim decide to end it.

    They should investigate the coroner asap.

    • sanpedropeddler@sh.itjust.works
      613·
      8 months ago

      Most people that kill themselves do so on a whim. Its probably not the case, but its not impossible. I’m guessing either the coroner is corrupt, or they have actual evidence it was a suicide. If it was a murder, then I doubt Boeing would do it without assurance it couldn’t be traced back to them. So regardless of what actually happened, the only official story there will ever be is that it was a suicide. That is, unless Boeing is as reckless about murder as they are about building planes.

      • Cosmic Cleric@lemmy.world
        15·
        8 months ago

        Most people that kill themselves do so on a whim.

        [Citation required]

        I would argue that most likely than not there is a trail of depression and/or mental illness that leads up to the actual act being done.

        • sanpedropeddler@sh.itjust.works
          22·
          8 months ago

          Absolutely, I don’t mean there is no warning whatsoever. There is almost always a history of depression, but that history is not always visible to loved ones, let alone the public. I just mean they are likely not specifically planning to commit suicide until soon before they do it, which at least in my experience is true

          • Cosmicomical@lemmy.world
            4·
            8 months ago

            Yeah it could emerge apparently at random for unsuspecting familiars, but this guy was about to do something that was important for him, on which he worked for years according to the article. Sounds sus to me.

      • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
        15·
        8 months ago

        Most people who commit suicide actually plan to do it. There is plenty of warning beforehand.