OpenAI whistleblower Suchir Balaji's parents have once again questioned the official suicide ruling, adding that he may have been murdered. Poornima Ramarao and Balaji Ramamurthy have detailed findings from a private autopsy and independent investigation that contradict the authorities' conclusion of death by suicide.
The 26-year-old was found dead in San Francisco in November 2024. The Indian-origin researcher resigned from OpenAI in August that year, alleging the company violated US copyright laws. Authorities initially determined his death resulted from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His blood toxicology report indicated alcohol, amphetamines, and GHB.
Poornima Ramarao, his mother, spoke to Diya TV on Monday and questioned the official findings, saying that the trajectory of the fatal gunshot wound makes suicide physically "impossible."
"The trajectory goes from the middle and points straight to the brainstem. He couldn't have reached that level with such high intoxication," she said. "He can't reach himself at that level with so much intoxication and an inability to hold a gun itself."
The autopsy also revealed lacerations on his gums, burn marks on his tongue, and a hole in his mouth, suggesting potential gagging or torture. "He was gagged or tortured with a heavy object. How could they miss all these things? They're accountable," she asked.
Describing Suchir Balaji's behaviour the day before his death, Ms Ramarao said, "The previous day he celebrated his 26th...
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