JUST IN: Boeing Whistleblower Told Friend ‘It’s Not Suicide’ Before His Death

A close friend to the recently deceased Boeing whistleblower has claimed he did not die of suicide as investigators have suggested, adding further intrigue around the circumstances of his shocking death.

John Barnett, the 62-year-old former Boeing employee who came forward alleging the company was knowingly producing defective aircrafts, was found dead in his truck on Saturday accompanied by a note that suggested he took his own life. According to a “close family friend” named Jennifer who spoke with ABC News 4, the clues don’t add up, Newsweek reports.

“I ain’t scared,” Barnett allegedly told her before adding “but if anything happens to me it’s not suicide.”

“I know he did not commit suicide there’s no way. He loved life too much, he loved his family too much, he loved his brothers too much to put them through what they’re going through right now,” Jennifer told the ABC affiliate. “I think somebody didn’t like what he had to say and wanted to shut him up and didn’t want it to come back on anyone so that’s why they made it look like a suicide.”

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Reports from the Charleston, South Carolina police department and the local coroner concluded that Barnett died from a “self-inflicted” gunshot wound to the head adding his body was found with a “silver handgun” nearby. A “white piece of paper that closely resembled a note” was also located.

Barnett first came forward in 2019, telling the New York Times that the Airbus 737 planes produced by Boeing were shoddy front to back.

“I haven’t seen a plane out of Charleston yet that I’d put my name on saying it’s safe and airworthy,” he said.

Robert Turkewitz and Brian Knowles, who were legally representing Barnett during litigation related to his whistleblowing statements, agreed there was “no indication” he ever intended to take his own life.

“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,” they said in a statement to Newsweek.

“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.”

In a short statement, Boeing said, “We are saddened by Mr. Barnett’s passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

The death of Barnett took on outsize importance following two fatal crashes by Boeing 737 planes in 2018 and 2019. In January the door of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 blew off, forcing an emergency landing.