His testimony via depositions would still be allowed and he wouldn't be able to be crossed. So in theory, wouldn't it benefit the lawsuit?

I said if _ALL_ they have is him it lacks legs.

But realistically was it damaged? He would have been deposed, no? That deposition can be entered into evidence. And because he is dead the defence can't cross so his word is basically untested. My understanding being able to bring in witness testimony and that the witness not being able to be crossed on the stand is beneficial to the side entering the witness testimony. So really, was the lawsuit actually damaged or is this just a bunch of people on the internet shouting conspiracy thinking a company worth 157b and invested into by companies worth trillions are going to kill someone over a copyright lawsuit?

Did he have special information no one else had? Or was he a rank-and-file researcher? My understanding is he was a rank-and-file researcher, so that would mean anything he knew others knew.