Newton can die before you talk to him

[harperfan7]

Which softlocks you.  I suggest giving him some personal item that you can return.

[ShoggothWhisperer]

It isn’t a softlock, you can just go back to Big Bret and tell him that Newton died.

[harperfan7]

Nuh uh

[Easy]

Have you tried looting his corpse then talking to Big Brett? I've definitely lost Newton and been able to continue the playthrough as normal after telling Big Brett what happened.

[harperfan7]

It's never happened to me, but I've seen many people claim that newton died before they ever saw him and they couldn't complete the quest.  Maybe they're that dumb, I don't know. 

[Azura_04]

How do you even kill Newton? 

No beetle has a patrol path to Newton's corner. And he shouldn't respond to any noises or anything. Unless you somehow lead a beetle to Newton, I don't see how he can die before you talk with him.

[KnifegaF]

Nuh uh

Shame on you, Harper, for believing a random nobody instead of Shoggoth

p.s. no I didn't talk to Newton before hand and yes I did loot his body after

[harperfan7]

Wow, imagine not looting a corpse. 

[KnifegaF]

I’ll be fair to this guy who mislead you. If you don’t turn in the hopper quest first then it will not allow you to tell Bret that Newton is dead. I don’t actually know if looting the body is required but this could be the reason this guy was having problems

[Easy]

How do you even kill Newton? 

No beetle has a patrol path to Newton's corner. And he shouldn't respond to any noises or anything. Unless you somehow lead a beetle to Newton, I don't see how he can die before you talk with him.

Fearing a beetle in to him with a Molotov might do it. I think that's how I lost him the one time it happened.