Weird, but I read this article and before it said specifically that he died from a gunshot wound. Looks like it's been updated (or redacted) to leave that bit out. Originally it said he died from a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
So Boeing executives murdered a whistleblower. huh.
Being in Quality Control myself, I've always felt pressure from higher ups around some of our bigger findings. Cool to know if I ever find something too big they'll just straight up murder me.
I've thought about this way too much and if you seriously think you're in danger, there's a few things you can do. Obviously lots of security cameras with local and off-site backups. Then hidden cameras, whatever spy cameras you can find, with an SD card in each. Then you need to create a deadman switch. Something you must interact with at least daily or it automatically uploads all your videos and documents etc everywhere it can, and / or sends them to your lawyer or journalists if you think you can trust them. I err on the side of public release as well because as long as it's in the public eye it will be subject to scrutiny. That's also why I'd start establishing a social media presence. "HI I'm X, I blew the whistle on Y. There's a hearing scheduled for Z and I would like to once again publicly state that I don't have any current medical or mental health issues and I have no plans to ever take my own life. Anyway here's how to make waffles" or whatever.
I've thought about this a lot too and I don't even have a job where I need to worry about it. The best way is really to just stay in the public eye and be as transparent as legally possible. I considered just fucking live streaming most of my life on twitch if I needed too. Car cam, house cam, go pro on my person, etc.
Something strange like that happened after that Sri Lankan family was murdered in Ontario. Was referred to as a mass shooting until no, wait, was a knife.