Second Boeing Whistleblower Found Deceased: A Timeline of the Company’s Growing Issues

In a tragic turn of events, a Boeing whistleblower, Joshua Dean, passed away in Wichita, Kan., after battling a sudden infection for two weeks. Dean, who worked as a quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, had accused Spirit leadership of overlooking manufacturing defects on the Boeing 737 Max model earlier in 2023. He was subsequently terminated from his position at Spirit in April 2023.

Dean’s death marks the second loss of a Boeing whistleblower in recent months, following John Barnett’s apparent suicide in March. The whistleblowers’ courageous actions shed light on safety concerns within the company, leading to increased scrutiny on Boeing’s practices.

Boeing executives were summoned to testify at a Senate hearing in mid-April to address allegations that the company prioritized cost-cutting measures over safety in the production of aircraft like the 787 Dreamliner and the 777.

Dean’s sudden and unexpected death has raised questions and concerns among his family and legal representatives. Despite his healthy lifestyle, Dean succumbed to a fast-spreading infection, leaving loved ones and colleagues in shock.

Brian Knowles, the lawyer representing both Dean and Barnett, emphasized the importance of whistleblowers in uncovering wrongdoing and corruption for the greater good of society. The circumstances surrounding Dean’s death remain unclear, but his legacy as a brave whistleblower will not be forgotten.