OpenAI whistleblower Suchir Balaji’s cause of death has once again been questioned by his mother, who is staying firm on murder conspiracy accusations.
Sharing a photo of Suchir from the day of death, Poornima Rao took to social media platform X, questioning the investigation, claiming the use of sedatives. “Suchir’s picture on the day of his death at 7.30 pm , getting dinner. This is from CCTV footage. OCME saw this video and still concluded he was depressed and called it suicide,” she said in her post.
Further casting doubts, she added, “Another cover by OCME: they stated to our attorney that GHB is endogenous 3 days after death. But we found out that level of endogenous GHB is less than 5000ng/L. A line in autopsy report says that toxicology report will include GHB only if it is more than 50000 Ng/L. Combined with alcohol this is a sedative. With this combination he will be losing muscle control or possibly unconscious. We are waiting for toxicologist to give a written report.”
Later, she made another post alleging that some of the CCTVs near her son’s vicinty, “One more suspensions finding CCTV in garage of Suchir’s apartment and neighbors stopped working. One of the elevator CCTV also stopped working. This m*rder conspiracy is executed over long term planning and watching Suchir.”
She also shared other people’s post who shared her sentiments. One X user identified as Mia Stretch commented, “Suchir DID NOT Take his own Life! Suchir was not depressed—utterly the opposite! He was a fearless force, brimming with fierce determination, unshakable joy, and a blazing vigor, pouring every ounce of his radiant spirit into a relentless pursuit of justice.” In response Ramarao replied, “He was like that since he was born.” “Its staged as suicide we know,” she replied to another user.
Suchir Balaji’s mother has raised concerns over the death in the past as well. In a post on X last month, Poornima Rao wrote “We received the autopsy report last Friday. Our counsel and we disagree with their decision”. She stated that the report contains “tons of inconsistencies” and that its conclusions do not align with the facts.The family has now taken their own steps in the investigation, sending the recovered hair sample for testing. “We are fighting for justice and will not back down,” Ramarao added.
Despite, the allegation, authorities have maintained Balaji’s cause of death a suicide. The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) released a joint statement and a 13-page medical examiner’s report in February, reaffirming their initial finding that Balaji died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, as per Fortune. “The OCME found no evidence or information to establish a cause and manner of death for Mr. Balaji other than a suicide by self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,” the medical examiner’s report stated.“SFPD conducted an independent investigation and based on the information SFPD reviewed, there is insufficient evidence to find Mr. Balaji’s death was the result of a homicide,” it added.
The conspiracy in the case, found backing with Elon Musk also hinting at foul play. “This doesn’t seem like a suicide,” Musk said in a reply to Suchir Balaji’s mother, who at the time also raised doubts on the investigation. Then in January this year, Musk once again called the situation “extremely concerning” while sharing a video from Tucker Carlon’s YouTube channel which also raised doubts on labeling the case a ‘suicide’.
Death of Suchir Balaji
Balaji, prominently -known in the technology industry, earned recognition for his outspoken views against artificial intelligence methodologies.
Excelling in computer science at UC Berkeley, he started working at OpenAI in 2020, contributing to foundational projects that led to ChatGPT’s development. His tenure ended in August when he resigned due to concerns regarding ethical issues surrounding copyright infringement.
“If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company,” he expressed during an interview with The New York Times in October.
Soon after his criticisms went public, he was found dead in his San Francisco residence on November 26, shortly after he celebrated his 26th birthday.