John Barnett had worked for Boeing for 32 years, until his retirement in 2017.

In the days before his death, he had been giving evidence in a whistleblower lawsuit against the company.

Boeing said it was saddened to hear of Mr Barnett’s passing. The Charleston County coroner confirmed his death to the BBC on Monday.

It said the 62-year-old had died from a “self-inflicted” wound on 9 March and police were investigating.

  • werefreeatlast@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    How tall was the self inflicting wound fall? There aren’t a lot of tall buildings near Everett.

    Maybe it was 3 bullets to the back? He was probably an engineer. Engineers can figure out how to purposely shoot themselves in the back more than 1 time with the same or multiple guns. Some plywood, rope or string, glue gun, and miscellaneous items, that’s all you need really…and a gun with bullets. Let’s start a project “automated self immolation chair”. I’m going to set-up a weekly meeting with you all until a prototype rev A is complete. We’ll start this morning with a 4 hour DFMEA followed by a three hour brainstorming session. We’ll need a business plan if we want approval for resources. I’ve just discussed the objective with my boss. She said no, and to take the trash out. And wash the dishes. It was an abrupt end of project but we learned valuable lessons. I’ll have a report out before Friday 5pm. We’ll be going out for drinks if you want to discuss details. Ah yes! Another successful project completion!

    • gorgori@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      Completely on point. I am an engineer. If I were to self inflict gunshots, I would 100% design a contraption that would shooot multiple times. Need to make sure.

      Also need to hide this contraption while I am in the dying process. To make sure people know it was self inflicted.

      • werefreeatlast@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        What kind of ice is there that can hold at least 14ksi during projectile launch? It may have to be reinforced with graphene.

    • Emerald@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      Let’s start a project “automated self immolation chair”

      that’s just called the electric chair, is it not? Just press the button yourself

      • werefreeatlast@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        Well, I mean, it doesn’t have to be electric. We need to discuss the IP in this here electrical seating device you mentioned wherein they have incorporated a single button function for electrically terminating life function. There may be room for a continuation design patent where dismemberment, disembowelment and other dis-x-ments can also be actuated via a single throw single contact latching button. With proper denouncing circuits and or algorithms, we can be sure to only de-live once per period. Anvils are single de-living event devices for example.