Boeing Whistleblower Found Dead

Former quality manager John Barnett raised concerns about 787 manufacturing practices

Barnett's death is being investigated as a suicide

A prominent Boeing whistle-blower, a former quality manager who raised concerns about manufacturing practices at the company's 787 plant, has been found dead in the US.

John Barnett, 62, was found dead with a gunshot wound in South Carolina on Saturday, his family said. Barnett had been in Charleston, South Carolina, giving testimony in his whistleblower case against the embattled aerospace giant.

Barnett had raised concerns about the production of the 787 Dreamliner, Boeing's flagship wide-body jet. He alleged that Boeing had pressured workers to cut corners and that the company had failed to properly inspect and repair the aircraft.

Boeing has denied Barnett's allegations and said that the 787 is safe. However, the company has been under intense scrutiny since two 737 Max jets crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people.

Barnett's death is being investigated as a suicide. However, his family and friends have said that they do not believe that he killed himself.