Suchir Balaji, the 26-year-old software developer at ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, died by suicide, San Francisco authorities have officially declared. The official confirmation brings an end to the investigation, which was opened after Balaji’s parents publicly questioned the suicide ruling and suggested foul play.
The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) released a joint statement and a 13-page medical examiner’s report last week, reaffirming their initial finding that Balaji died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, as per Fortune.
“The OCME found no evidence or information to establish a cause and manner of death for Mr. Balaji other than a suicide by self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,” the medical examiner’s report stated.
“SFPD conducted an independent investigation and based on the information SFPD reviewed, there is insufficient evidence to find Mr. Balaji’s death was the result of a homicide,” it added.
No signs of struggle, injuries: Report
The detailed reports outline the evidence supporting the suicide conclusion. Medical examiners found no signs of struggle, injuries, or forced entry into Balaji’s apartment. The apartment door was deadbolted, and windows were deemed inaccessible.
Furthermore, internet search history on Balaji’s computer revealed queries about brain anatomy. The firearm used belonged to Balaji, and gunshot residue was detected on both of his hands. A toxicology report also indicated the presence of alcohol and amphetamines in his system.
“We realise that this information is difficult to receive. We hope that this response may help bring some amount of closure to his grieving parents, friends and family,” said San Francisco police chief Bill Scott and OCME executive director David Serrano Sewell.
Suchir Balaji’s ‘murder’ angle
This announcement comes in response to a lawsuit filed by Balaji’s parents in January, demanding the full police report amid their claims that their son was murdered.
Balaji’s parents have publicly maintained their belief that their son was murdered. They have cited concerns regarding the initial investigation and pointed to Balaji’s public allegations, made just a month before his death, that his former employer, OpenAI, was engaged in copyright infringement.
Following what they deemed an unsatisfactory initial investigation, the parents hired their own investigators and subsequently filed a lawsuit on January 31 to push the SFPD to release its full findings.
According to Fortune, Balaji’s mother, Ramarao, said that she and her husband are currently reviewing the extensive documentation.
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source link
