Suchir Balaji’s family disputes suicide claims, citing head injuries and signs of struggle in the second autopsy report.
January 1, 2025: The parents of Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI employee who had raised ethical concerns about the company’s operations, have contested the authorities’ conclusion that their son died by suicide. Speaking to NDTV, his parents, Balaji Ramamurthy and Purnima Ramarao, revealed that a second autopsy report has pointed to signs of struggle, including a head injury, suggesting foul play.
Also Read: Ex-OpenAI Researcher and Whistleblower Suchir Balaji Found Dead; Elon Musk Reacts
Autopsy Raises Questions
Twenty-six-year-old Suchir Balaji was found dead earlier this month at his San Francisco apartment. While authorities initially ruled his death a suicide, his parents claim that the findings from the second autopsy tell a different story. “There are signs of struggle, including a head injury, which point towards murder, not suicide,” said his mother, Purnima Ramarao.
Last Conversation with Suchir
Recalling their final conversation with their son, Balaji Ramamurthy shared that Suchir was in good spirits. “He had just returned from a birthday trip to Los Angeles with friends and spoke excitedly about his plans to attend the CES tech show in Las Vegas in January. He seemed happy and even mentioned he was heading out for dinner that evening,” he said.
Ethical Concerns at OpenAI
Suchir Balaji had previously worked at OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, and reportedly flagged ethical concerns about the company’s operations before his departure. These concerns are now under increased scrutiny in light of his mysterious death.
Call for Justice
Balaji’s parents are urging authorities to reopen the investigation and thoroughly examine the findings of the second autopsy. They believe their son’s death was not self-inflicted and are determined to uncover the truth behind his untimely demise.
As the tech world watches closely, calls for transparency and a fair investigation continue to grow louder.
Tags: Suchir Balaji, OpenAI Whistleblower, AI Ethics, OpenAI Controversy, Tech Industry Scandal, Whistleblower Death, Justice for Suchir
