San Francisco/New Delhi: The mother of Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI researcher and whistleblower, has alleged that her son was murdered to suppress information he possessed about the AI giant. Poornima Rao, Balaji’s mother, claims that he had crucial documents exposing OpenAI’s operations, which led to his untimely death in November.
Balaji was found dead in his San Francisco apartment, with authorities initially ruling it a suicide. However, his family has rejected this conclusion and is demanding an FBI investigation, citing inconsistencies and missing evidence.
In an interview with American commentator Tucker Carlson, Ms. Rao made shocking accusations against OpenAI, stating, “My son had documents against OpenAI. They attacked him and killed him.” She further claimed that after his death, some of these documents were missing from his apartment.
Allegations of a Cover-Up
According to Ms. Rao, the San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner quickly ruled the death as suicide without thorough investigation. She recalled that officials asked her if she believed her son was depressed, to which she responded, “He had just celebrated his birthday a day before his death. He was in a happy mood.” She also pointed out that he had received a birthday gift from his father the same day he was found dead.
Ms. Rao further accused OpenAI of hushing up the investigation and suppressing potential witnesses. “Everybody is being silenced. Even the attorneys have been forced to say it was a suicide,” she alleged.
Elon Musk Reacts
Billionaire Elon Musk shared the interview on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), calling the revelations “Extremely concerning.” His post has fueled widespread speculation and concern regarding the transparency of the investigation.
Claims of a Rushed Investigation
Ms. Rao also criticized the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) for what she described as a hasty and botched investigation. “It took them just 14 minutes to declare it a suicide,” she said, questioning how such a serious case could be closed so quickly. She also accused the police of withholding information, adding, “I knew my son was dead just by looking at the white van, but the authorities kept delaying the confirmation.”
Previously, Ms. Rao had posted on X that her son’s apartment was ransacked and showed signs of a struggle, with bloodstains in the bathroom. “Someone attacked him in the bathroom. There were blood spots. This was cold-blooded murder,” she asserted.
OpenAI Whistleblower & His Departure
Suchir Balaji had worked at OpenAI for nearly four years before resigning in August 2023. His mother stated that he was deeply concerned about OpenAI’s shift to a for-profit model, which led him to leave the company and turn whistleblower. He had even spoken to the New York Times, raising ethical concerns about OpenAI’s operations before his death.
Investigation Reopened
Following public outcry and mounting pressure, the San Francisco Police Department has now reopened the case as an “active investigation.” However, no further details have been shared. Meanwhile, Balaji’s parents continue to demand that the FBI take over the case, insisting that “only a transparent and independent investigation can uncover the truth.”
This case has sparked intense debates over corporate accountability, whistleblower safety, and the ethics of artificial intelligence, as the tech world closely watches the developments.
