Another Boeing whistleblower has passed away, following closely after the tragic death of John Barnett. Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, died on Tuesday morning, as reported by the Seattle Times.
Dean, who had displayed no signs of illness just two weeks prior, was found to be infected with influenza B, MRSA, and pneumonia. Shockingly, his hands and feet had turned black due to the severity of the infection.
His journey as a whistleblower began in 2022 when he raised concerns at Spirit AeroSystems, a key supplier for Boeing. Despite his efforts, the company terminated his employment less than a year later. Dean had specifically highlighted concerns about improper drilling of bulkhead holes, but his warnings were allegedly disregarded by management.
In a statement, Dean revealed that his focus on the bulkhead issue had led him to overlook another manufacturing problem during an audit, which ultimately led to his dismissal. His untimely death is sure to spark further inquiries, especially given the recent passing of another whistleblower, John Barnett, in March.
Barnett, who was engaged in settlement discussions with Boeing over allegations of retaliation, died under suspicious circumstances. While his lawyers insisted he was not suicidal, they expressed doubts about the official account of his death.
Brian Knowles, an attorney who represented both Barnett and Dean, refrained from speculating on any connection between the two deaths but emphasized the need for thorough investigation by authorities. The circumstances surrounding Joshua Dean’s demise are concerning, especially considering his role in exposing critical issues within the aerospace industry. He was 45 years old.
Rest in peace.
