A second Boeing whistleblower has died unexpectedly amidst the company’s safety controversies. Joshua Dean, a quality inspector at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, succumbed to an antibiotic-resistant staph infection known as MRSA after a suddlen infection left him critically ill for days. Dean, 44, had been outspoken about safety issues with Boeing’s 737 MAX plane, which has been involved in several disasters. He lost his job in 2023 and filed a complaint alleging retaliation.
Dean had been deposed in connection with a shareholder lawsuit and had reported dangerous faults in components of the 737 MAX. His family shared on Facebook that doctors had warned them he had a “50/50 chance of living.” The infection had “totally” taken over his lungs, and doctors had considered amputating his hands and feet, but he was too weak for surgery.
Dean was represented by the same law firm as John Barnett, another Boeing whistleblower who died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after giving a deposition for his retaliation lawsuit. Barnett, 62, was found dead outside his hotel the day after his deposition, sparking concerns over the treatment of whistle blowers at Boeing.
The deaths of Dean and Barnett highlight the challenges faced by whistleblowers in the aviation industry and raise questions about the safety culture at Boeing. The company has been under scrutiny for its handling of the 737 MAX crisis and its treatment of employees who raise safety concerns. Critics argue that the deaths of Dean and Barnett are a reminder of the importance of protecting whistleblowers and ensuring that safety concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.