Daijiworld Media Network- San Francisco
San Francisco, Jan 17: Poornima Rao, the mother of whistleblower Suchir Balaji, has accused OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, of being involved in her son’s death. She alleges the company "murdered" him to suppress sensitive information he possessed.
Balaji, a former OpenAI employee, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment in November 2024. His death was initially ruled a suicide, but his family has since demanded an FBI investigation, insisting he was murdered.
In an interview with American commentator Tucker Carlson, Rao claimed her son had documents that could incriminate OpenAI. She alleged these documents went missing after his death. "They attacked him and killed him," she stated, adding that the authorities and company suppressed evidence and silenced potential witnesses.
Rao expressed skepticism about the initial investigation, highlighting inconsistencies in the case. She pointed out that her son had celebrated his birthday just a day before his death and seemed to be in a happy mood. She also noted signs of a struggle in his apartment, including alleged bloodstains in the bathroom, which she said indicated foul play.
On social media platform X, Rao alleged that Balaji’s "apartment was ransacked" and claimed there were "blood spots" in the bathroom, suggesting he was attacked. "It was cold-blooded murder declared as suicide," she wrote.
Balaji, who worked at OpenAI for nearly four years, resigned in August 2023 after the company transitioned to a for-profit model. He later became a whistleblower, raising ethical concerns about the organization’s practices in an interview with The New York Times.
The San Francisco Police Department has since reopened the case as an "active investigation," but further details remain undisclosed. Balaji’s family has demanded the FBI step in to ensure a thorough inquiry.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk commented on the situation, calling the allegations "extremely concerning."
The family continues to seek justice, urging authorities to uncover the truth behind Suchir Balaji’s death.