CHARLESTON, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Court documents state a settlement has been reached between Boeing and the family of a whistleblower who died last year in Charleston.

The family of John Barnett, who was 62 when he died in March of last year, filed the lawsuit two months ago against the mega-aircraft manufacturer.

Federal District Judge Bruce Hendricks filed an order on Monday stating that both parties said the suit had been settled and that the lawsuit was being dismissed pending completion of the settlement within 60 days.

The order did not specify any details of the settlement that both sides reached, however.

Barnett, who worked for Boeing for 32 years, filed a whistleblower complaint, alleging safety concerns with their Charleston facility. The United States Department of Labor was working through the discovery phase of its investigation and was set to begin hearings on that complaint.

He was found inside his truck outside the Holiday Inn on Savannah Highway on March 9, 2024. The Charleston County Coroner’s Office ruled Barnett’s death a suicide.

Barnett’s estate accused Boeing of driving Barnett to his death after he suffered repeated retaliation, a hostile work environment and bullying. The lawsuit stated the constant bullying caused Barnett’s post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, panic attacks and depression, all of which led to his suicide.

“Boeing had threatened to break John and break him it did,” the lawsuit stated.

On several occasions, Barnett had reported about the company using substandard parts, and oxygen systems with serious problems. Barnett reportedly alerted managers who took no action to fix the issues and Boeing denied Barnett’s claims, according to reports.

The 146-page lawsuit cites specific examples of retaliation and humiliation Barnett faced from Boeing. Even once he had left the company, Barnett feared that the issues he had complained about while working at Boeing had not been resolved and would someday result in a catastrophic event.

“His fears were soon realized,” the lawsuit says, when Boeing planes continued to malfunction and crash in recent years.

The lawsuit alleged Barnett had been seen by a mental health counselor just days before his March 4, 2024, deposition in Charleston against Boeing. Barnett had attempted to increase his anxiety medications as he reported ongoing nightmares involving people dying in airplanes, documents stated.

Boeing spokesperson Libba Holland released a statement Tuesday morning:

“We are saddened by John Barnett’s death and extend our condolences to his family. Boeing took actions several years ago to review and address the issues that Mr. Barnett raised.”

Barnett’s estate did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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