The tragic death of OpenAI whistleblower Suchir Balaji has sparked a legal battle between his parents and the city of San Francisco. The lawsuit, filed in January, alleges that Balaji’s death was not a suicide as initially ruled by the San Francisco Police Department, but rather a murder that was covered up without a thorough investigation.
Balaji, a former researcher at OpenAI, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment last November. His parents, Poornima Ramarao and Balaji Ramamurthy, were unsatisfied with the investigation conducted by the SFPD and requested further inquiry into their son’s death. However, they were informed that the case was closed, prompting them to take legal action.
The lawsuit demands the release of public documents related to the case, which have been withheld under the Public Records Act. Joseph Goethals, attorney for Balaji’s parents, stated that they will seek a court order to obtain the documents if they are not provided within 10 days.
It is alleged in the lawsuit that the SFPD violated the California Public Records Act by unlawfully withholding public records and conducting a rushed and inadequate investigation into Balaji’s death. The petitioners’ attorneys argue that key forensic findings were ignored and requests for further inquiry were disregarded.
The lawsuit also calls for the immediate disclosure of all reports, photos, and videos related to the case, as well as coverage of legal costs. If the San Francisco Superior Court does not rule in their favor, the petitioners may seek recourse with the Court of Appeal.
Balaji had worked at OpenAI from November 2020 to August 2024, and had made significant contributions to projects such as ChatGPT. His family hired forensic pathologist Dr. Joseph Cohen to perform a private autopsy, which revealed a single gunshot wound to Balaji’s mid-forehead. The trajectory of the bullet and the presence of a contusion on the back of his head raised suspicions about the nature of his death.
The circumstances surrounding Balaji’s death are further complicated by revelations made by him to The New York Times, which mentioned him in a court filing related to a lawsuit against OpenAI. Despite the allegations made by Balaji, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman dismissed them and accused the newspaper of being on the “wrong side of history.”
The San Francisco Police Department has yet to respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit. The legal battle between Balaji’s parents and the city of San Francisco continues, as they seek justice for their son’s untimely death.