[LAUREN TAYLOR]

A FORMER BOEING EMPLOYEE WHO RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE COMPANY’S PRODUCTION STANDARDS, WAS FOUND DEAD FROM AN APPARENT SELF-INFLICTED GUNSHOT WOUND, ACCORDING TO THE CHARLESTON COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE.

JOHN BARNETT WAS 62 YEARS OLD AND WORKED FOR AT BOEING FOR 32 YEARS BEFORE RETIRING IN 2017.

OFFICERS RESPONDED TO A HOTEL PARKING LOT WHERE BARNETT WAS FOUND WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SELF-INFLICTED GUNSHOT WOUND SATURDAY, ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS.

HE WAS TESTIFYING IN A WHISTLEBLOWER LAWSUIT AGAINST THE COMPANY BEFORE HIS DEATH.

HE RECENTLY SAT DOWN WITH TMZ TO DO THIS INTERVIEW:

[JOHN BARNETT / BOEING WHISTLEBLOWER]

“BUT MY CONCERN IS WHAT’S THE REST OF THE AIRPLANE? WHAT’S THE REST OF THE CONDITION OF THE AIRPLANE? AND THE REASON MY CONCERN FOR THAT IS BACK IN 2012, BOEING STARTED REMOVING INSPECTION OPERATIONS OFF THEIR JOBS. SO IT LEFT THE MECHANICS TO BUY OFF THEIR OWN WORK.”

HE HAD REPORTED THERE WERE COMPROMISED SAFETY STANDARDS AT BOEING, INCLUDING THE USE OF SUB-STANDARD PARTS AND FAULTY OXYGEN SYSTEMS, WHICH BOEING DENIED.

BOEING EXPRESSED SADNESS OVER BARNETT’S PASSING.

THE COMPANY IS FACING CONCERNS OVER AIRCRAFT SAFETY AMID RECENT INCIDENTS AND FAA AUDITS HIGHLIGHTING MANUFACTURING QUALITY CONTROL ISSUES.

IN JANUARY — THE DOOR PLUG BLEW OUT — ON A BOEING737 MAX 9 PLANE DURING AN ALASKA AIRLINES FLIGHT.

THE NTSB INITIALLY INVESTIGATED AND FOUND NO BOLTS WERE INSTALLED ON THE DOOR PLUG.

DETECTIVES AWAIT THE FORMAL CAUSE OF DEATH As THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.