OpenAI has issued a statement regarding the death of former employee and whistleblower Suchir Balaji, who was found dead in his San Francisco apartment in November 2024. Balaji, known for raising ethical concerns about the company’s practices, had reportedly been in the process of exposing the AI giant’s internal operations before his passing.
His family, however, has voiced suspicion over the circumstances of his death, alleging foul play and demanding a more thorough investigation.
OpenAI’s Official Statement
On January 18, 2025, OpenAI expressed their grief over Balaji’s passing, calling him a “valued member” of the team. The statement emphasized the company’s deep sadness and their continued sorrow over the loss. “We continue to feel his loss deeply,” OpenAI said.
“We have reached out to the San Francisco Police Department and have offered our assistance if it’s needed.” The company also reiterated its belief that law enforcement is the proper authority to handle the situation, adding that they would refrain from further comment out of respect for the investigation.
Whistleblower Allegations and Family’s Concerns
Balaji had worked at OpenAI for nearly four years, resigning in 2023 due to dissatisfaction with the company’s shift toward a for-profit model. Before his death, he had publicly raised alarms about ethical issues within the company, positioning himself as a whistleblower.
His actions and statements prompted concerns over the practices of the AI company, particularly regarding transparency and corporate responsibility.
While initial investigations into his death concluded that it was a suicide, Balaji’s family has vehemently disputed this finding. They have called for the FBI to intervene, alleging that his death was not self-inflicted but rather a targeted murder. The San Francisco Police Department reopened the case as an “active investigation,” but no additional details have been provided.
Mother’s Claims of Murder and Suppression
Suchir Balaji’s mother, Poornima Rao, has been outspoken in her belief that OpenAI played a role in her son’s death. In an emotional interview, Rao accused the company of orchestrating his murder to conceal damaging information that Balaji had uncovered. “My son had documents against OpenAI,” she claimed. “They attacked him and killed him. Some documents were even missing after his death.”
Rao also pointed to Balaji’s behavior leading up to his death, noting that he had celebrated his birthday just a day before his passing, which she suggested contradicted the narrative of suicide. “What more do we need to give on account that he was in a happy mood?” she questioned.
Allegations of Cover-Up and Lack of Recognition
Further complicating matters, Rao has accused OpenAI of suppressing any potential witnesses and preventing the truth from coming to light. She claimed that even legal representatives had been coerced into labeling the death a suicide. “Everybody is suppressed, nobody is ready to come up and tell the truth,” she asserted.
Rao has also criticized OpenAI for failing to properly recognize her son’s contributions to the company, particularly his work on ChatGPT. Despite his significant involvement in developing the AI model, Rao claims there was no acknowledgment of his efforts until after his death.
“Even now, there’s no acknowledgment from OpenAI of his contributions,” she said in an interview with X user Mario Nawfal.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Outcry
The investigation into Suchir Balaji’s death remains ongoing, with his family and supporters calling for a more transparent and exhaustive inquiry. As law enforcement continues to examine the case, questions surrounding the whistleblower’s death continue to raise suspicion, particularly in light of the company’s shift to a more commercially-focused agenda and Balaji’s spoken criticisms.
The case has sparked wider discussions about transparency and ethical practices within tech companies, especially those like OpenAI, which are at the forefront of AI innovation.