Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk has expressed his support for Poornima Ramarao, mother of Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI employee, as she seeks justice for her son’s suspicious death. Balaji was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on November 26, in a case initially ruled as a suicide by authorities. However, Ramarao alleges that her son was murdered, citing evidence of foul play.

Balaji, a computer science graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, joined OpenAI as an intern in 2018 and later contributed significantly to the development of ChatGPT through the WebGPT project. Despite his achievements, he made shocking claims in an interview with The New York Times weeks before his death, accusing OpenAI of violating U.S. copyright laws during the chatbot’s development.

Ramarao, determined to uncover the truth, hired a private investigator and conducted a second autopsy. The findings contradicted the initial police report, revealing signs of a struggle in Balaji’s apartment, including bloodstains in the bathroom and evidence of ransacking. “It’s a cold-blooded murder declared as suicide,” Ramarao wrote on X, adding, “We demand an FBI investigation.”

Musk’s involvement highlights the escalating public interest in the case. While OpenAI co-founder John Schulman honored Balaji’s contributions in a social media post, Ramarao alleges corporate lobbying may be influencing the investigation. “Lobbying in SF city doesn’t stop us from getting justice,” she stated.

Balaji’s allegations against OpenAI add complexity to the tragedy. As a pivotal team member, he was privy to the organization’s inner workings, making his claims about copyright violations significant. His death raises questions about transparency and ethics in AI development, with critics urging accountability from OpenAI.

The case has sparked widespread attention, with Musk’s support amplifying calls for a deeper investigation. As Ramarao continues her fight for justice, the tech community and public await clarity on the circumstances surrounding Balaji’s untimely death.