Exclusive: Boeing whistleblower’s friend questions suicide assertion

John Barnett found dead in car outside South Carolina hotel Saturday
Police report: Piece of paper that ‘resembles a note’ found in car
Attorneys shocked; say Barnett was in good spirits while pursing case

Updated: Mar 15, 2024 / 06:36 AM CDT

(NewsNation) — Bob Ketchum, a friend of the Boeing whistleblower who was found dead outside a South Carolina hotel, is questioning the details surrounding John Barnett’s apparent suicide amid testimony about safety concerns in a lawsuit against his former employee.

“Do we really believe this? Was there a setup? We don’t know,” Ketchum said during a Thursday appearance on NewsNation’s “Banfield.”

Barnett’s death comes as Boeing’s quality and safety standards face scrutiny following several notable incidents, including a door plug blowing off a Boeing 737 Max jetliner mid-air and a tire coming detached from the plane after takeoff.

Police said this is an active investigation, but attorneys expressed shock as Barnett was actively pursuing his case against Boeing. Barnett was even questioned on the day of his death, and attorneys emphasized he was in good spirits, eager to move past it all.

NewsNation’s Kelsey Kernstine contributed to this report.