Another whistleblower of Boeing has died, citing sudden and fast-spreading infection as the cause of death for the former quality auditor of Spirit AeroSystems.
The former employee, Joshua Dean, was in critical condition for two weeks despite being relatively healthy.
Boeing Whistleblower Suffers MRSA Before Dying
Dean was a 45-year-old who was known for having a healthy lifestyle. Prior to his illness, the former quality auditor was fired from his position last year. He then filed a labor complaint and cited that he was dismissed for raising safety concerns.
According to his aunt, he acquired the Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). Dean was airlifted from his hometown Wichita to a hospital in Oklahoma City. He was put on an ECMO machine as his organs had already failed to function on their own.
The bacterial infection had a sudden and quick onset in his body causing him to be in critical condition before he succumbed to death.
Former Employee Pursued Lawsuit Against Spirit
Dean had also complained about Spirit's "serious and gross misconduct by senior quality management of the 737 production line." He also gave a deposition in a separate Spirit shareholder lawsuit.
Boeing, who previously owned Spirit, unveiled its plan to acquire the company to reintegrate its operations and provide improved quality to air safety. The Federal Aviation Administration gave the company 90 days to present a proposal proving its promise.
Dean's death marked the second Boeing whistleblower to die this year. A former quality control engineer, John Barnett at Boeing was found dead last March. Dean and Barnett are both represented by a South Carolina law firm.
"Our thoughts are with Josh Dean's family. This sudden loss is stunning news here at Spirit and for his loved ones," a Spirit representative shared in a statement.
