The mysterious death of Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI researcher and whistleblower, has left his family demanding answers. Balaji, 26, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on November 26, with the medical examiner ruling it a suicide. However, his parents, Balagi Ramamurthy and Ramarao, vehemently dispute the findings, alleging foul play and demanding an FBI investigation.
“I was the last person to talk to him,” said Ramamurthy. “He was happy, not depressed or anything. It was his birthday week. How can anyone believe there was no note left?”
Balaji’s mother added, “There were signs of a fight in the bathroom. Blood shots. This cannot be ignored.”
The tragedy occurred three months after Balaji publicly accused OpenAI of copyright violations in the development of ChatGPT, a move his parents believe may have put him at risk.
Parents question suicide ruling
The San Francisco Police Department stated that no evidence of foul play was found during their initial investigation. A gun was discovered near Balaji’s body, and the absence of others at the scene contributed to the suicide ruling. Yet, his parents argue that the investigation was rushed.
“It took the medical examiner 40 seconds to declare it a suicide,” Ramarao alleged, as reported by The Gaurdian.
Balaji had no history of mental illness, and his parents insist he had plans to visit them in January. “This is not the behavior of someone considering ending their life,” said Ramamurthy.
The whistleblower’s legacy
Balaji, a computer science prodigy from UC Berkeley, began his career at OpenAI in 2020, working on projects that laid the groundwork for ChatGPT. He quit in August, citing ethical concerns about copyright violations.
“If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company,” he said in an October interview with The New York Times.
OpenAI expressed its condolences, stating it was “devastated” by the news and offered support to Balaji’s family.
Community demands answers
At a candlelight vigil attended by 80 people, supporters called for a deeper investigation. Ganesh Balamitran, a Fremont resident, praised Balaji’s advocacy for creators’ rights. “He was fighting for every creative artist out there,” he said.
Aruja Gupta, a San Jose State University student, echoed the demand for justice: “The police need to put more resources into this case.”
A family’s grief
Balaji’s parents shared memories of their son’s brilliance and ethical upbringing. “He was a prodigy,” Ramarao said. “The ethics with which I raised him took his life today.”
The case remains under active investigation, but for Balaji’s parents, only a federal probe can uncover the truth. “Our son deserves justice,” they said.