OpenAI Whistleblower’s Death Ruled Suicide, Mother Disputes Finding “`

Suchir Balaji’s mother, Poornima Ramarao, has informed journalist Tucker Carlson that her son possessed documents potentially damaging to OpenAI.

In a Thursday interview with Tucker Carlson, the mother of deceased OpenAI whistleblower Suchir Balaji challenged the official suicide ruling and demanded a comprehensive investigation.

Ramarao contends that key evidence contradicts the suicide determination, alleging her son was troubled by OpenAI’s purported unethical practices before his death.

Ramarao revealed that her son possessed documents capable of harming the company. “He had the documents against OpenAI,” she stated, indicating the files contain vital information and efforts are underway to recover them.

Balaji, a 26-year-old AI researcher, was found deceased in his San Francisco apartment on November 26, 2024. Authorities initially classified his death as suicide, a conclusion disputed by his family due to inconsistencies in the investigation. Following public pressure, the San Francisco Police Department reclassified Balaji’s case from “Closed – Suicide” to “Open and Active Investigation.”

Balaji resigned from OpenAI in August 2024, expressing concerns about the company’s alleged misuse of copyrighted material in AI training. Weeks before his death, he told The New York Times that OpenAI’s data practices might violate copyright laws.

During her interview with Carlson, Ramarao asserted that forensic evidence contradicts the official narrative. She specifically cited the autopsy, which indicated a bullet trajectory of 30 to 45 degrees, a finding she argued is inconsistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. She also mentioned that a private autopsy revealed additional head injuries, suggesting a possible struggle. “There is a head injury on the left side of the head,” she stated.

Ramarao described her son’s final days, recalling his return from a trip with friends in high spirits and his career plans. “He had a non-profit in mind. He didn’t want to take a salary for his work. He said, ‘Mom, I have enough resources. I want to serve humanity,’” she recalled, questioning how someone so future-oriented could take their own life.

She further accused OpenAI of failing to acknowledge Balaji’s contributions. “He was vital in the ChatGPT team… but the irony is, he was never acknowledged by OpenAI,” she said. Ramarao stated that OpenAI only contacted the family about Balaji’s stock options, not to express condolences or offer support.

The family continues to advocate for an independent investigation into Balaji’s death. “We want justice. We want the death sentence to the one who killed my son, as well as imprisonment for people who are behind it,” Ramarao told Carlson.