Lawyers for Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, who died by suicide in March, allege the company is responsible for his death. The lawyers released his suicide note, in which Barnett expresses anger towards Boeing and love for his family.
Lawyers for Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, who died by suicide in March, are accusing the aerospace giant of being responsible for his death. They released a statement on Tuesday after the public release of Barnett's suicide note, which gave a glimpse into his state of mind before he shot himself in the head.
"Mr. Barnett's last words make clear that while Boeing may not have pulled the trigger, the company is responsible for his death," Barnett's lawyers, Robert Turekwitz and Brian Knowles, said in a joint statement.
Barnett's family expressed gratitude for the support they have received and hoped that his legacy would be remembered for his efforts to change Boeing's culture of concealment. The Charleston County Coroner, Bobbi Jo O'Neal, determined that Barnett had died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Police found his body inside his locked car next to a suicide note and the pistol in his hand. The coroner's report was made public on Friday.
Barnett's lawyers noted that investigators determined their client was suffering from PTSD, anxiety, and panic attacks before his death.
"His mental condition was a result of the retaliation and hostile work environment he was subjected to in response to his complaint that Boeing senior management was pressuring workers to disregard processes and procedures required by law to be followed, allowing defective parts to be installed on the airplanes, and disregarding and ignoring problems that he believed pose a potential threat to the flying public," his lawyers wrote.
The suicide note, which Fox News Digital has reviewed, was handwritten in all capital letters and contained expletives. It stated "f--- Boeing!!!" and told Barnett's family and friends that he loved them.
"I can't do this any longer," he wrote. "Enough!"
Barnett was found dead in his truck in March after he failed to show up for his second day of depositions in a lawsuit against the aerospace manufacturer.
"Bury me face down so Boeing and their lying a-- leaders can kiss my a--," he wrote.
After Barnett failed to arrive for his depositions, his lawyers called for a wellness check, and he was found with a gunshot wound to the head in the parking lot of his hotel, according to authorities.
Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In January, Barnett told TMZ that he was concerned that Boeing was returning its 737 Max 9 jets to the sky too quickly, after an incident in which an Alaska Airlines jet's door panel blew off mid-flight.
Unrelated to Barnett's lawsuit, Boeing's CEO Dave Calhoun announced he would be resigning by the end of the year amid the company's ongoing struggles.
