• Source:JND
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The death of Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI researcher, has sparked a storm of controversy. Balaji, an Indian-origin AI programmer, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment in November 2024. Police ruled it a suicide by self-inflicted gunshot. But Elon Musk has now openly disputed that claim, suggesting foul play.

The debate reignited during an interview between Tucker Carlson and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Carlson directly asked Altman: “Do you think he committed suicide?” Altman replied: “I really do. He was like a friend of mine… It looks like a suicide to me.”

Carlson pushed further. He referred to Balaji’s earlier complaints against OpenAI. “You had complaints from one programmer who said you guys were basically stealing people’s stuff and not paying them, and then he wound up murdered. What was that?” Altman called it a “great tragedy” but maintained that Balaji had taken his own life.

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Musk Pushes Back

Elon Musk strongly rejected Altman’s version. The billionaire said Balaji was “murdered,” directly contradicting the official ruling of suicide. Musk has been one of OpenAI’s most vocal critics after parting ways with the company. His remarks have fueled speculation and revived public distrust over the case.

Family Disputes Suicide Ruling

Balaji’s parents have also refused to accept the suicide verdict. His mother, Poornima Ramarao, said in an interview: “Everybody is suppressed. Nobody is ready to come up and tell the truth. Even the attorneys have been made to tell that it is a suicide.”

The family hired independent experts to review the case. They pointed to inconsistencies in the investigation and called for federal agencies, including the FBI, to step in.

Balaji worked at OpenAI for four years. Weeks before his death, he accused the company of copyright violations in its model training practices. His criticism, shared publicly, gained traction online. His sudden death soon after intensified suspicions.

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San Francisco police and the medical examiner, however, found no evidence of foul play. Their official conclusion remains suicide.

The case has now become a flashpoint. On one side are the authorities and Altman, insisting it was suicide. On the other hand are Balaji’s family and figures like Elon Musk, who believe he was killed.