The Seattle Times reported the death of 45-year-old Joshua Dean due to a "sudden, fast-spreading infection."
Two weeks ago, he was admitted to the hospital after complaining of breathing problems. Doctors discovered a bacterial infection that eventually caused organ failure.
Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor for Spirit AeroSystems, a Boeing supplier, and one of the first whistleblowers to say Spirit management ignored manufacturing defects in the 737 MAX.
Dean testified in a lawsuit brought by Spirit shareholders and also filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration alleging "serious and gross misconduct by senior management on the quality of the Boeing 737 production line" at Spirit.
Spirit fired Dean in April 2023, and he filed a complaint with the Department of Labor, alleging that his termination was retaliation for raising aviation safety concerns.
Two months ago, former Boeing engineer John Barnett died under strange circumstances. Barnett had also testified against Boeing.
The body of 62-year-old John Barnett was discovered in a car in a parking lot outside a hotel. According to Charleston County police, Barnett died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. On the day his body was discovered, Barnett was scheduled to testify as part of a lawsuit against Boeing.
Despite the police report, his acquaintances are convinced he could not have committed suicide.
