The San Francisco Police have confirmed that OpenAI whistleblower Suchir Balaji died by suicide, citing an autopsy report from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). After weeks of investigation and multiple inquiries, authorities upheld their initial conclusion, stating there was no evidence of homicide, according to a Fortune report.

Autopsy report confirms suicide

Balaji, a 26-year-old Indian-American, was found dead in his apartment on November 26 under circumstances that sparked widespread speculation. His parents, who have consistently alleged foul play, dismissed the official findings, arguing that the investigation contained inaccuracies.

A 13-page OCME report and a four-page joint response from the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) reaffirm that Balaji died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The OCME report states that no evidence or information suggests any cause or manner of death other than suicide. Following an independent inquiry, the SFPD also concluded that there was insufficient evidence to classify Balaji's death as a homicide.

The report from the SFPD and the OCME also revealed that Suchir Balaji had alcohol and amphetamine in his system at the time of his death. Investigators found that he had searched for information on brain anatomy on his computer. Gunshot residue was detected on both of his hands, and his DNA matched the pistol seen beneath his leg. Documents at the scene confirmed that Balaji was the registered owner of the firearm. According to sfexaminer.com, ballistics tests later verified that the same pistol was used in his death.

Family challenges findings, demands transparency

Balaji’s parents, however, have accused the authorities of lapses in the investigation, particularly criticising the failure to obtain CCTV footage from his apartment building. They also pointed out that no suicide note was found.

His mother, Poornima Rao, accused SFPD of inaccuracies in both the autopsy and police reports. “They have never retrieved CCTV footage from leasing office . We need report from police. We are only requesting transparent investigation,” she wrote on X.

Balaji, who worked at OpenAI for four years, resigned after discovering that the company allegedly trained its chatbot on copyrighted material obtained from the internet without permission. His death occurred just a day after he was named in a legal filing as someone whose files OpenAI planned to review in response to an ongoing lawsuit. The case, brought by well-known authors, including John Grisham, challenges OpenAI’s data usage practices.

Family continues own investigation

Dissatisfied with the official findings, Balaji’s family has taken independent steps to investigate his death further. They have sent a hair sample found in his apartment for forensic testing.

“We received the autopsy report last Friday. Our counsel and we disagree with their decision,” Rao wrote on X. “There are tons of inconsistencies in their decision. Under lying assumptions are not supporting the facts in reports. We continue our investigation. We have sent the hair found in apartment for testing. We are fighting for justice and not back up.”

Lawsuit against San Francisco police

In their pursuit of answers, Balaji’s parents have filed a lawsuit against SFPD, accusing the department of unlawfully withholding records related to their son’s death. The lawsuit claims that police are “illegally shielding public records” that could provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding Balaji’s passing.