Boeing whistleblower John Barnett was found dead in his truck on March 9, 2024, with a gunshot wound to the head. The 62-year-old was discovered seated in the driver’s seat of his orange Dodge Ram near the Holiday Inn at 301 Savannah Highway in Charleston, South Carolina. According to the autopsy report released on Friday, Barnett’s body was warm and rigor had not yet set in. The bullet struck him in the right temple, and gunshot residue was noted on his right hand. A semi-automatic Smith & Wesson pistol, a loaded magazine, and unfired 9mm Luger cartridges were located on the vehicle console. A notebook bearing writing suggesting a “suicide note” was found on the passenger seat. The writings contained information known only to his family, and only Barnett’s fingerprints were found on the journal. The coroner concluded that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death was best deemed as ‘suicide.’ Barnett had worked at Boeing as a quality control engineer for almost three decades and retired in 2017 after making numerous complaints to his managers that went unheard. He warned supervisors about the use of substandard parts and oxygen systems with significant issues, but management allegedly did nothing to address the issues. Boeing has refuted Barnett’s allegations. The Charleston Police Department is still investigating Barnett’s death, but the autopsy report will play a major role in determining the cause and manner of death.