NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
San Francisco, CA, December 30, 2024: Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has expressed his support for Poornima Ramarao, the mother of 26-year-old Indian-origin tech researcher and former OpenAI employee, Suchir Balaji, whose mysterious death has raised questions about foul play and whistleblower protection. Poornima, in a heartfelt plea, has demanded an FBI investigation, stating that evidence from a private autopsy and investigation contradicts the police’s conclusion of suicide.
Taking to X, Poornima expressed her anguish and frustration, writing, “We hired a private investigator and did a second autopsy to throw light on the cause of death. The private autopsy doesn’t confirm the cause of death stated by police. Suchir’s apartment was ransacked, there were signs of struggle in the bathroom, and it looks like someone hit him in the bathroom based on blood spots. It’s a cold-blooded murder declared by authorities as suicide.” She accused influential lobbying in San Francisco of hindering justice and added, “Lobbying in SF city doesn’t stop us from getting justice. We demand an FBI investigation.”
Suchir’s parents have also launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for further investigation and litigation. In the campaign description, Poornima explained the troubling context of her son’s death. “As most of you know, my only son, Suchir Balaji, was found dead in his SFO apartment on November 26, 2024,” she wrote. Poornima further revealed that Suchir had been a whistleblower who “openly exposed OpenAI” in outlets like the New York Times and on his own website. Just a week before his death, Suchir was named as a witness in an investigation against OpenAI.
Poornima questioned the official narrative, stating, “His testimony would have impacted the huge AI industry. He was so brave to expose them publicly that it doesn’t ADD UP to the reported cause of his death by the police.” She described his death as “not only the loss of our loved one, but also a glaring failure in protecting whistleblowers.”
The grieving mother detailed the steps her family has taken to seek the truth, including hiring private investigators and conducting extensive forensic reviews. However, the costs have been immense. “We have already spent $50,000 of our own money and exhausted our resources,” she wrote. The family is now appealing for community support, stating, “Every dollar we can raise will go towards legal fees, a lawyer, and finding someone who isn’t scared to fight for justice and find the truth.”
Poornima emphasized the broader implications of Suchir’s case, saying, “Suchir stood for the cause and fought for the safety of mankind. He deserves justice, and we, as parents, need to know the truth. 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.”
Elon Musk’s support has brought significant attention to the case, which has already sparked conspiracy theories and debates about the risks faced by whistleblowers in industries like AI. A public petition demanding a thorough investigation into Suchir’s death has gained momentum, echoing the family’s call for transparency and justice.
“It gives me courage to continue to fight for justice for Suchir,” Poornima wrote, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support.
The GoFundMe campaign remains open, with the family urging the public to join them in their quest for the truth. “We want to bring out the truth and ensure others are not impacted in the future,” Poornima stated. “Thank you for standing with us.”
Cover photo of Suchir Balaji courtesy: GodFundMe/Poornima Rao
