A tragic incident unfolded as a Boeing whistleblower, John Barnett, was discovered deceased in his truck parked at a South Carolina hotel, reportedly after missing the second part of his testimony for a significant lawsuit against the company.

John Barnett, aged 62, had expressed safety concerns at the airline’s factories and had recently provided his initial testimony. However, just days later, he was found dead from an apparent “self-inflicted” gunshot wound, as stated by the Charleston County coroner to the BBC.

Expressing concern over the circumstances of Barnett’s death, his attorney Brian Knowles emphasized skepticism regarding the self-inflicted nature of the gunshot, labeling it as “alleged.” Knowles conveyed his grief, describing the day as tragic, particularly considering Barnett’s extensive preparation for his testimony.

Barnett had been staying at the hotel to provide a deposition in a whistleblower lawsuit against Boeing. Knowles recounted attempts to contact Barnett over the weekend, only to find his phone unanswered, prompting them to request a welfare check. Unfortunately, Barnett was discovered deceased in his truck.

Boeing, where Barnett had worked for over three decades before retiring in 2017 as a quality control engineer, expressed sorrow over his passing, extending condolences to his family and friends.

The company has been under increasing scrutiny due to various issues involving its planes. This includes an incident in January when a door plug blew off during an Alaska Airlines flight, adding to the ongoing challenges faced by the aerospace giant.