Boeing Whistleblower Deaths: John Dean Found Dead

Second Whistleblower Dies Suddenly After Josh Barnett Found Dead

By Mark Strassmann and Michael Kaplan

March 28, 2024, 11:00 AM EDT

The mother of John Dean, a former Boeing employee who raised concerns about the company's production standards, has announced his death. Dean becomes the second Boeing whistleblower to die suddenly, less than two years after Josh Barnett was found dead in his pickup truck in a hotel parking lot.

The Charleston County Coroner's Office confirmed the death but did not release any further details. CNN reported that Barnett died from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, but the office has not confirmed this information.

Dean's passing has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of whistleblowers who speak out against corporate misconduct. Boeing has faced scrutiny in recent years over its production standards, particularly in the wake of two fatal crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft.

Barnett, a former quality-control inspector, had raised concerns about the company's production practices and alleged that Boeing had ignored his warnings. He was found dead in his pickup truck in the parking lot of a hotel in Charleston, South Carolina, on February 19, 2022.

Dean's death has sparked renewed calls for greater protection for whistleblowers. Some lawmakers have proposed legislation that would provide whistleblowers with legal protections and financial assistance.

Boeing has expressed its condolences to Dean's family and said it is cooperating with authorities investigating his death. The company has also said it is committed to a safe and ethical work environment for all employees.