OpenAI whistleblower Suchir Balaji's death: US police rules out foul play after parents cried murder

On November 26, the San Francisco police had found Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old software developer, dead in his apartment. He had a gunshot wound to the head.

The San Francisco police have officially ruled out foul play in the death of Indian-origin OpenAI whistleblower Suchir Balaji. Although the authorities initially ruled his death a suicide, Balaji’s parents have since publicly insisted he was murdered prompting the police to release a joint report recently.

The San Francisco police together with medical examiners shared a four-page joint response and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) released a 13-page report confirming their initial finding and pronouncing the investigation into Balaji’s death officially closed, Fortune reported.

“The OCME found no evidence or information to establish a cause and manner of death for Mr. Balaji other than a suicide by self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,” the publication quoted the medical examiner’s report. “SFPD conducted an independent investigation and based on the information SFPD reviewed, there is insufficient evidence to find Mr. Balaji’s death was the result of a homicide.”

On November 26, the San Francisco police had found the 26-year-old software developer dead in his apartment. He had a gunshot wound to the head. According to the authorities, there were neither any other injuries to Balaji nor were there any signs of forced entry at his place. Moreover, internet searches conducted from Balaji’s computer before his death revealed searches on aspects of brain anatomy. The gun that Balaji had used, belonged to him. Authorities found gunshot residue particles on both of his hands.

The report also stated post-mortem examination found the presence of ethanol, an indicator of alcohol consumption, and amphetamines that are used to keep the body alert and active.

“We realise that this information is difficult to receive,” Fortune quoted San Francisco police chief Bill Scott and OCME executive director David Serrano Sewell as saying. “We hope that this response may help bring some amount of closure to his grieving parents, friends and family.”

Balaji's parents told the publication that they are in the process of reviewing the report. Suicide prevention helpline resources