The death of Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old former OpenAI researcher, is now being treated as an ‘active and open investigation’ by the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD). Balaji was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on November 26, a month after he publicly criticized OpenAI’s practices in an interview with The New York Times. Initial reports ruled the death a suicide, but new developments have cast doubt on this conclusion.

Initially labelled a suicide by authorities, Balaji’s death has come under scrutiny following allegations by his family. They claim signs of a struggle were evident at the scene, such as a fallen toothbrush, blood spatter, and injuries inconsistent with self-inflicted harm. A second autopsy commissioned by the family reportedly contradicts the original findings, suggesting Balaji was shot in a manner that would make suicide implausible.

Poornima Ramarao, Suchir Balaji’s mother, has been alleging that San Francisco city authorities have been in a cover-up. She accused the original probe of being incompetent and pointed out conflict-of-interest factors with the medical examiner of San Francisco city. Family attorney Joe Goethals acknowledges that the second autopsy raises “some very legitimate questions,” though it may not be conclusive in proving foul play.

The SFPD and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner have withheld the full incident report and autopsy findings. The delay in releasing these documents, which typically must be completed within 90 days to maintain accreditation, has added to the controversy. Forty-three days after Balaji’s death, the investigation remains unresolved.

The case has drawn a lot of attention and some prominent voices, including that of Elon Musk , who doubted the suicide ruling as an initial determination. There are growing speculations about whether his whistleblowing against OpenAI company for unethical data practices and copyright infringement might have made him a target.

The alleged killing of Balaji raises concerns about the risks and threats that whistleblowers within the tech industry face, especially when questioning powerful organizations of AI. When the public interest becomes intense, the expanding investigation might unveil systemic issues-both within AI bodies and local law enforcement.

The case now unfolding is becoming the focus of most talks on ethics, accountability, and safety within the fast-evolving artificial intelligence world.