‘A total setup’: Internet unconvinced as note found next to Boeing whistleblower John Barnett's body

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at tel:1-800-273-TALK (8255).

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA: A Boeing whistleblower was found dead days after he testified against the airline company. John Barnett, 62, allegedly shot himself with a handgun and left a suicide note in his vehicle, the Daily Mail reports. 

Barnett's body was found dead in his truck in a hotel parking lot in Charleston, South Carolina, on Saturday, March 9, seven years after he retired following a 32-year career at Boeing. 

Suicide note found near John Barnett's body

Barnett reportedly died from a 'self-inflicted' gunshot wound and the Charleston Police Department is investigating his death. An investigation revealed that Barnett extended his stay at the Holiday Inn two days before his suspected suicide and had been set to check out the day before the alarm was raised.

According to the report, around 10 am on March 9, Barnett's friend called the hotel and requested a welfare check; staff members knocked on his hotel room door but received no answer. After searching the hotel parking lot for his orange Dodge Ram, a staff member found Barnett dead in the driver's seat with a "silver handgun" in his right hand.

According to the investigation, Barnett suffered a gunshot wound close to his right temple and had his "right pointer finger remaining on the trigger." The report added, that a "white piece of paper that closely resembled a message" was found lying in plain sight on the passenger seat.

However, at the time of writing, the contents of the suicide note have not yet been revealed.

John Barnett's death being investigated

A member of staff at the hotel told investigators that he heard a "pop' at around 9.30 am when he was working on the exterior of the hotel, with Barnett's truck discovered at the rear of the property.

Barnett was seen leaving the hotel early on March 8 in a surveillance video however, the alarm wasn't set off until the next day.

Sgt Anthony Gibson of Charleston PD said in a statement, "Detectives are actively investigating this case and are awaiting the formal cause of death, along with any additional findings that might shed further light on the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Barnett."

It added, "We understand the global attention this case has garnered, and it is our priority to ensure that the investigation is not influenced by speculation but is led by facts and evidence. Given the sensitive nature of the investigation, we are unable to participate in media interviews at this time. This stance is not unique to this case but is a standard procedure we adhere to in order to preserve the integrity of active investigations. Public disclosure will follow the investigation's conclusion."

On the other hand, Barnett's lawyers, Robert Turkewitz and Brian Knowles, claimed there had been "no indication" the former Boeing employee would take his own life.

The statement by lawyers read in part says, "John was in the midst of a deposition in his whistleblower retaliation case, which finally was nearing the end. He was in very good spirits and really looking forward to putting this phase of his life behind him and moving on. We didn't see any indication he would take his own life. No one can believe it."

It added, ''We are all devastated. We need more information about what happened to John. The Charleston police need to investigate this fully and accurately and tell the public what they find out. No detail can be left unturned."

Less than three months after Barnett issued a warning on the 737 and 787 Dreamliner production procedures, he was discovered dead in South Carolina. According to Brian Knowles, Barnett's lawyer, Barnett was in the process of giving a deposition in a Charleston whistleblower action on the 787 Dreamliner's manufacturing.

The lawsuit claimed that under pressure employees were installing "sub-standard" parts on Boeing 787s, to save money per BBC. 

Internet reacts to John Barnett's 'suicide' note

An X user shared the investigation report by police, saying, "A suicide note was allegedly found next to Boeing whistleblower John Barnett who was found dead in his truck with a gun in his hand." There were several reactions to the post, with various social media users coming up with their own views.

A user wrote, "The inconvenient truth." Another user wrote, "This story is very strange. At least the official narrative the media wants you to believe. If you are a conspiracy theorist the pieces fit together very easily."

A user wrote, "I am sure he didn't write it, and will they actually release it since he doesn't fit their narrative?" Another said, "They are trying too hard to make this like a suicide. Everything is so weird. Don't you think?"

A user wrote, "I don’t believe any of that for a second." A user wrote, "I was a cop, went to many suicides with firearms, never once was the gun still in the hand of the person let alone the finger on the trigger. That tells me this is a total set up."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.