By Ritu Jha-
Friends, family and supporters of Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old former OpenAI employee, have launched an online campaign demanding a thorough investigation into his mysterious death. Balaji, a former researcher and whistleblower, was found dead in a San Francisco apartment on Nov. 26, sparking questions about the circumstances surrounding his sudden passing.
The campaign launched on Change.org, is intended to bring public attention to Balaji’s death and ensure that a comprehensive investigation is conducted. Girish Bangalore, who initiated the campaign, said it was essential to gain media attention to prevent any attempt to “push the incident under the carpet.”
Bangalore emphasized the potential risks to Balaji’s family.
“If something mischievous has happened, Balaji’s parents could be under threat,” he said. “The more publicity we put on his death, the less potential for harm to his parents.”
Bangalore, who described Balaji as a “bright and talented” individual, recalled his own interactions with the late former employee.
“He was extraordinary,” Bangalore said. “From his blog posts with OpenAI, you could see that he was not average. He was brilliant.”
The campaign’s page appeals for justice, urging authorities to investigate the case thoroughly.
“We want answers, we want clarity. But most importantly, we want justice for Suchir Balaji,” the page reads.
Balaji’s mother, Poornima Ramarao spoke exclusively to indica about her son’s death, expressing doubts that her son could have taken his own life. She said she last spoke to Balaji on his birthday, Nov. 21, when he was vacationing with friends in Los Angeles.
“He sounded irritated on November 21,” she said, suggesting he may have been disturbed by a news story about OpenAI potentially deleting
Ramarao recalled the timeline of events leading to her son’s death. He talked to his father on Nov. 22 after his return from Los Angeles. The same day on Nov. 22, Balaji went out to get dinner and returned home by 7:30 pm., but did not return any of her calls over the next few days. She visited his apartment in San Francisco on Nov. 25 but was unable to gain access. After calling the police, she filed a missing person report, but there was no immediate response.
“When I got to the leasing office, they wouldn’t give me the key to his apartment,” Ramarao said.
The next day she visited again, called the police, and said, ” I was not allowed inside the apartment.”
The police officers visited and Ramarao learned that her son had been found dead. Authorities said he had died from a gunshot wound, but Ramarao remains unconvinced.
“I do not believe he shot himself,” she said. “My son had key evidence against OpenAI. He was a very sensible boy, mature beyond his years. He could not have done this.”
In the wake of her suspicions, Ramarao sought a second autopsy. She claims the first autopsy, conducted by the San Francisco Coroner’s Office, was incomplete and inaccurate.
“The second forensic report shows that the bullet did not even touch the brain,” she said. “We need accountability.”
The family is now planning to bring in a Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) team to gather more evidence. Ramarao added that they had halted her son’s cremation until the second autopsy was complete.
Balaji, a talented and ambitious young man, was reportedly planning to launch a startup aimed at competing with OpenAI. His mother said he had been financially secure and intended to focus on a nonprofit venture related to healthcare.
“We are leaving no stone unturned,” Ramarao said. “We will unearth the truth and continue his fight for justice.”