John Barnett, a 62-year-old male, was found deceased in his truck in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn in Charleston, South Carolina, on March 9, 2024. A former quality control manager for Boeing for 32 years, Barnett had retired in 2017 and had since become a whistleblower, raising concerns about the company's production standards and safety protocols.
Barnett was in Charleston to give depositions in a whistleblower lawsuit against his former employer.
He had participated in depositions in the days leading up to his death. When he failed to appear for the continuation of his deposition, his attorneys became concerned and requested a welfare check at his hotel. Hotel staff discovered him in his vehicle, unresponsive.
Law enforcement officers who responded to the scene found Barnett in the driver's seat with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. A handgun was found in his right hand. Investigators also discovered a note on the passenger seat of the vehicle.
The Charleston County Coroner's Office officially ruled John Barnett's death a suicide. A subsequent and thorough investigation by the Charleston Police Department concurred with the coroner's finding, concluding that Barnett had died by suicide. The police investigation found no evidence of forced entry or a physical struggle within his locked vehicle. Ballistics reports confirmed the firearm found in his hand was the weapon used, and fingerprint analysis of the note found only Barnett's prints. According to police, their investigation revealed that Barnett had been experiencing mental health challenges, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, which were reportedly exacerbated by the ongoing legal proceedings. As the death was determined to be a suicide, there have been no arrests or suspects named in connection with the case.
