Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems and a whistleblower who raised concerns about production defects in parts for Boeing aircraft, died suddenly due to a fast-growing mystery infection.
His death followed the tragic loss of another Boeing whistleblower, John Barnett, who died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Dean, who had been in good health, suffered multiple complications including influenza B, MRSA, pneumonia, and a stroke, which led to his hospitalization and subsequent death.
Dean had been fired after flagging issues with aircraft parts and had filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Labor citing wrongful termination.
His death is currently under investigation, adding to concerns about the treatment and safety of whistleblowers in the aviation industry.