Officials Confirm OpenAI Whistleblower Suchir Balaji's Death Was Suicide

A final autopsy and investigative report by San Francisco authorities found no evidence of foul play in the November 2024 death of the 26-year-old AI researcher.

• San Francisco police and medical examiners released a final report confirming Suchir Balaji's death was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officially closing the case.
• The investigation found no signs of forced entry or injuries besides the gunshot wound, with Balaji's apartment deadbolted from the inside and no evidence of other individuals entering.
• Gunshot residue was detected on both of Balaji's hands, and the firearm used was registered in his name; toxicology reports showed the presence of alcohol and amphetamines.
• Balaji, a former OpenAI researcher, had recently accused the company of copyright violations and was named in a lawsuit as a potential custodian of evidence just days before his death.
• Balaji's parents continue to dispute the findings, citing independent investigations they commissioned and claiming missing documents and investigative irregularities.

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