Fresh controversy has erupted over the death of Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI employee-turned-whistleblower, after his mother released a CCTV image from the day he was found dead in his San Francisco apartment in November 2024.
The image, taken from a surveillance camera inside his apartment building, shows Balaji standing near an elevator, holding a brown paper bag—believed to contain his dinner. His mother, Poornima Rao, argues that this image contradicts the official suicide ruling, insisting her son showed no signs of distress before his death.
Suchir’s picture on the day of his death at 7.30 pm , getting dinner. This is from CCTV footage.
OCME saw this video and still concluded he was depressed and called it suicide.
Another cover by OCME: they stated to our attorney that GHB is endogenous 3 days after death. But… pic.twitter.com/HwmZWhnt88
— Poornima Rao (@RaoPoornima) March 12, 2025
Balaji’s death was initially ruled a suicide by local authorities, with the San Francisco Medical Examiner’s Office later reaffirming this conclusion in a 13-page report. However, his family has vehemently opposed the findings, calling for a full-scale FBI investigation into what they believe was a premeditated murder.
Central to their claims is the toxicology report, which indicated the presence of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)—a substance known for its sedative effects, particularly when mixed with alcohol. Rao has questioned whether her son was drugged and incapacitated before his death.
Adding to her suspicions, she highlighted missing or non-functional CCTV cameras in key locations around Balaji’s apartment, including the garage, elevator, and nearby hallways, raising concerns about a potential cover-up.
Rao has repeatedly linked her son’s death to his whistleblowing activities at OpenAI, claiming he possessed sensitive documents that could have exposed wrongdoing within the company. She also accused OpenAI of interfering with the investigation and silencing potential witnesses.
The controversy surrounding Balaji’s death continues to gain traction, with mounting calls for a federal investigation. While law enforcement has stood by its findings, the persistence of Balaji’s family and the growing public interest in his case have kept it in the spotlight.
