Suchir Balaji's mother makes serious allegations against OpenAI, Elon Musk says, 'extremely concerning'

Poornima Rao, the mother of former OpenAI researcher and whistleblower Suchir Balaji, has made fresh allegations claiming her son’s death was not a suicide but murder. Speaking to political commentator Tucker Carlson, Rao alleged that OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, was involved in her son’s death to hide incriminating documents he possessed.

Rao claimed that her son, who had publicly criticised OpenAI’s shift from non-profit to for-profit, had documents exposing unethical practices at the company. She revealed that on November 18, 2024, Balaji was named a custodian witness by The New York Times. However, just days later, on November 22, he was found dead in his San Francisco apartment.

Authorities ruled Balaji’s death a suicide, but Rao has repeatedly questioned this conclusion. She pointed out inconsistencies, such as signs of struggle in his apartment, missing documents, and bloodstains in the bathroom. “My son celebrated his birthday a day before he died. He was in a happy mood,” she said, rejecting claims of depression.

Rao accused OpenAI of suppressing witnesses and influencing attorneys, calling for a thorough FBI investigation. She also criticised the police for withholding information and delaying updates about her son’s death.

Elon Musk, a vocal critic of OpenAI’s commercial turn, expressed concern over the case. Sharing Rao’s interview on social media, Musk commented, “Extremely concerning.” Balaji’s death has sparked widespread calls for transparency, with many urging a deeper investigation into the circumstances.

Balaji had raised ethical concerns about generative AI and the commercialisation of OpenAI, highlighting its potential risks.