Parents of OpenAI Researcher Claim Cover-Up in Son’s Death

San Francisco, California – The parents of Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI researcher, have filed a lawsuit against the owners and managers of his apartment building, alleging a cover-up related to their son’s death.

Balaji’s parents, Poornima Ramarao and Ramamurthy Balaji, submitted their complaint on September 22 in San Francisco Superior Court, targeting Alta Laguna LLC and Holland Partner Group. Their son was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on November 26, 2025, and the couple seeks damages of at least $1 million for emotional distress.

The lawsuit arises after the city medical examiner concluded that Balaji died by suicide from a gunshot wound, a finding his parents dispute. They believe their son was murdered for speaking out against OpenAI, and they allege a widespread conspiracy to conceal the truth about his death involving tech companies, law enforcement, and media.

According to the complaint, the property manager of the Alchemy apartments at 188 Buchanan St., Cory Valenti, allegedly fired shortly after showing CCTV footage to Balaji’s parents and limited access to surveillance footage even after requests for more than two days. The family claims this obstructed police investigations and their own inquiries.

The lawsuit also alleges the apartment complex failed to secure packages addressed to Balaji that went missing after his death. A neighbor reportedly saw these packages in the package room later, adding to the suspicions of foul play.

Despite the medical examiner’s ruling, Balaji’s family has engaged independent forensic experts, claiming they found evidence suggesting foul play. However, specific results from the autopsy have not been released.

Balaji had been a whistleblower in the months leading up to his death, raising concerns about OpenAI’s practices regarding the training of its ChatGPT product. The nine-count legal action includes claims of wrongful death, negligence, fraud, and obstruction of evidence. The parents are also seeking an order to ensure all evidence related to the case, including footage and records, is preserved.

Representatives for Alta Laguna LLC and Holland Partner Group have not commented on the lawsuit. Greystar, another entity mentioned in the suit, indicated they began managing Alchemy in July.