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Parents of OpenAI whistleblower demand justice following son’s mysterious death
During a vigil held at the University of SiliconAndhra in Milpitas, Poornima Ramarao and Balaji Ramamruthy, joined by a supportive community, called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Suchir's death.
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Parents of Suchir Balaji / Ritu Marwah
The parents of Suchir Balaji, an OpenAI whistleblower found dead in his San Francisco apartment last month, are taking action to seek justice for their son’s untimely death.
At a vigil held on Dec. 27 at the University of SiliconAndhra in Milpitas, Poornima Ramarao and Balaji Ramamruthy, joined by a supportive community, called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Suchir's death.
Suchir, 26, was discovered in his apartment on November 26, 2024, just a week after he was named as a key witness in the New York Times vs. OpenAI case. He had been vocal about alleged copyright violations by OpenAI, exposing the company's practices on social media and through his website.
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In a statement shared on ‘X’, Suchir had explained his growing concerns about generative AI, saying, “I eventually came to the conclusion that fair use seems like a pretty implausible defense for a lot of generative AI products, for the basic reason that they can create substitutes that compete with the data they're trained on.”
His outspoken stance on AI ethics and copyright law made him a target for criticism, but his parents insist his death, officially ruled as a suicide by the police, does not add up. They are calling for further investigation, citing the strange timing of his death shortly after he would have provided potentially game-changing testimony in a high-profile case.
In a poignant letter, Suchir’s mother, Poornima Ramarao detailed their pain and determination to uncover the truth. “His tragic death has sparked a storm of conspiracy theories, with some alleging a sinister connection between his untimely death and his outspoken criticisms of the AI industry including OpenAI,” she wrote.
“It's not only the death of our loved one, but also missing protection for whistleblowers. We want to bring out the truth and ensure others are not impacted in the future. We want this to set an example of how pursuits of all whistleblowers like Suchir can be continued along with community support to make the world better.”
Community expresses support
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Community support for Suchir Balaji. / Ritu Marwah
The vigil, attended by a large number of community members, was filled with grief, but also determination. Parents at the event reflected on the loss of a young man who, in many ways, embodied the spirit of Silicon Valley—intelligent, idealistic, and committed to making the world a better place through technology.
The police closed the case on Suchir's death just 14 minutes after the gunshot was reported, labeling it a suicide attempt without further investigation. This swift decision has left many unanswered questions in search of which the Balaji family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for a private investigation, including digital forensics, a forensic autopsy, and a crime scene analysis.
The family has already spent $50,000 of their own savings and is calling on the public for financial support. “Every dollar will go towards legal fees and finding someone who isn’t afraid to fight for the truth,” Poornima wrote.
“We have a choice,” said the mother of Suchir’s classmate from Monta Vista High in Cupertino, “ We take no action or we take a small action that we hope will snowball into a movement.” She urged the community to stand with the parents in their fight for justice and the world, Suchir was fighting for.
Representatives of community organizations registered their support.
“Tomorrow it could be any of us. We must show them that next time they try to touch us they will think twice.”
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