Prior to his death, whistleblower John Barnett was testifying against Boeing over concerns about standards.

John Barnett had worked for Boeing for 32 years, until his retirement in 2017.

In the days before his death, he had been giving evidence in a whistleblower lawsuit against the company.

Boeing said it was saddened to hear of Mr Barnett’s passing. The Charleston County coroner confirmed his death to the BBC on Monday.

It said the 62-year-old had died from a “self-inflicted” wound on 9 March and police were investigating.

  • aidan@lemmy.world
    11·
    8 months ago

    Because don’t you think that in itself is a form of witness intimidation? Won’t people be hesitant to volunteer to testify during a lengthy trial if it means a security guard literally watching them sleep and shower for months.

    • rottingleaf@lemmy.zip
      1·
      8 months ago

      I meant not that the witness would be obligated to accept that, but that a company would be interested to offer to pay for various measures to preserve their health, sanity and all that.

      • aidan@lemmy.world
        11·
        8 months ago

        But the claim was that he committed suicide, say you’re concerned about the company killing you so you accept their security. Couldn’t the security then just have a good reason to be in your house to “find the body” when you “slip in the shower”

        • rottingleaf@lemmy.zip
          2·
          8 months ago

          You don’t get it, his death before giving witness is unconditionally considered a murder by the company.

          • aidan@lemmy.world
            1·
            8 months ago

            So then someone else can kill him like others have said. But depending on what is being whistleblowed, someone in the company taking the fall for murder might not be as bad as what could be discovered. Especially if government agencies are included in this.