Investigation into Boeing whistleblower's death concludes he committed suicide: CPD

October 17, 2024

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — An investigation into the death of John Barnett note, the Boeing whistleblower found dead outside of a Charleston hotel with a gunshot wound, concluded he committed suicide.

Barnett, 62, died the morning of March 9. He was discovered inside a vehicle at the Holiday Inn on Savannah Highway with a gunshot wound to the head. Barnett was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Charleston Police Department (CPD) conducted an independent investigation into Barnett's death. The findings of the investigation were announced on May 16.

The CPD cites the following factors in determining Barnett's death as a suicide:

Barnett was shot in the head at close range in a locked vehicle. There was no evidence of a forced entry or a physical struggle inside of the vehicle; the vehicle's key fob was in Barnett's pants pocket.
Ballistic analysis verified the gun found in Barnett's hand was the weapon that fired the bullet recovered at the scene; Barnett legally purchased the gun in 2000.
A notebook found on the front passenger seat of the vehicle included a note suggesting Barnett was going through a period of serious personal distress; only Barnett's fingerprints were on the note.
Information and records uncovered Barnett's longstanding mental health challenges, which had intensified in connection with the whistleblower legal proceedings.
Barnett's cell phone showed no unusual travel patterns or communications leading up to his death and the key card access to his hotel room did not show any unusual activities.
Security footage confirmed Barnett's movements the evening before his death; there was no evidence of anyone interacting with his vehicle, anyone entering his vehicle, or the vehicle leaving its parking spot.
The Charleston County Coroner's Office determined Barnett's manner of death was suicide.

Police also provided the note found in Barnett's vehicle, which includes several profane messages directed at Boeing. "I CAN'T DO THIS ANY LONGER!!! ENOUGH!! F*** BOEING!!!" one message reads.

Another message reads, "Bury me face down so Boeing and their lying-a*** leaders can kiss my a**". According to the CPD, Barnett's mother told an investigator that Barnett would often say this message.

In addition to anger towards Boeing, the note expresses love for family and friends. One part of the note reads, "TO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS, I FOUND MY PURPOSE! I'M AT PEACE! I LOVE YOU MORE", followed by a heart symbol.

The note can be viewed in the gallery above. Be warned that the note contains profanity and disturbing material.

Barnett worked for Boeing for 32 years, including 17 years as quality manager, until he retired in 2017. At the time of his death, Barnett had been in Charleston for legal interviews as part of a lawsuit against the company.

In 2021, Barnett filed a retaliation complaint against Boeing, alleging during his seven-year tenure at Boeing South Carolina, he made several ethics complaints about "a deep-rooted and persistent culture of concealment" and complained about Boeing's lack of properly documenting and remedying defects which could prove dangerous for airplane passengers.

Barnett accused Boeing of retaliating against him for his complaints by giving him low-performance scores, separating him from his team, and blacklisting and blocking him from transferring to other Boeing divisions outside of South Carolina.

Despite Barnett's death, his attorney said he's still prepared to go to trial in June.

News 4 is reviewing the documents provided by the CPD and is updating the story as more information comes in.

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