The death of 26-year-old OpenAI whistleblower Suchir Balaji remains surrounded by mystery and unanswered questions. His mother, Poornima Ramarao, has challenged the official ruling of suicide, citing troubling autopsy findings, suspicious toxicology results, and missing CCTV footage. The family believes foul play was involved and insists Balaji may have been tortured and murdered.
Balaji, a former OpenAI researcher, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment last year, three months after leaving the company. He had accused OpenAI of violating US copyright laws. Authorities ruled his death a suicide caused by a gunshot wound, but his family rejects this conclusion.
Mother’s Doubts About Suicide
Ramarao says the fatal wound on her son’s body could not have been self-inflicted. “The bullet trajectory goes from the middle and points straight to the brainstem,” she said in a recent interview. “He couldn’t have done this himself, especially with the amount of intoxication he had.”
The family points out inconsistencies in the case: blood spatters were not documented, neighbors heard no gunshot, and his gun had no silencer.
Autopsy Reveals Possible Signs of Torture
A private autopsy found injuries missing from the official report, including cuts on his gums, burn marks on his tongue, and a hole in his mouth. “He was gagged or tortured,” Ramarao said. “How could they miss these signs? Someone is accountable.”
Toxicology Report Raises Questions
The family’s toxicology test showed Balaji’s blood alcohol level at 0.178%, roughly seven to eight drinks. Ramarao said he wasn’t a heavy drinker and suggested he may have been drugged. “They gave him alcohol to loosen him up and then GHB to make him talk,” she said.
Authorities also found amphetamines and GHB, which the family believes indicate foul play, not suicide.
Security Lapses at Apartment
The family noted security camera issues in Balaji’s building. One elevator camera was disconnected a week before his death. “The security guard recorded video from the elevator with no camera to another area with no CCTV,” Ramarao said.
Family Rejects Suicide Story
Balaji had just celebrated his 26th birthday a day before dying. “If someone wants to kill themselves, why eat dinner, do laundry, or unpack clothes?” his mother asked.
Her concerns come shortly after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described Balaji’s death as a suicide—something the family strongly disputes.
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