OpenAI CEO Sam Altman accused of murder

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has become the latest target of “cancel culture” following an explosive interview with journalist Tucker Carlson.

Carlson raised the case of former OpenAI researcher Suheer Balaji, who was found dead in his apartment. In December 2024, medical examiners reported that there was no evidence of foul play at the time.

• The news of Balaji’s apparent suicide drew widespread attention after reports surfaced that he had held unique documents against OpenAI in an ongoing copyright dispute.
• Media outlets suggested that Balaji could have played a key role in legal battles against the company. The unique and relevant documents in his possession might have strengthened the case.
• Just months before his death, in late October 2024, Balaji publicly explained why he believed OpenAI’s practices violated U.S. fair use laws.

Balaji’s mysterious death came only three months after those accusations. In his latest interview, Carlson suggested Balaji was murdered — a suspicion also echoed by the family.

Altman defended himself, calling the death a “great tragedy” and insisting it was suicide, citing medical examiners’ findings:

“This was a friend of mine — not a close friend, but this is someone who worked at OpenAI for a very long time. I was really shaken by this tragedy. I spent a lot of time trying to read everything I could about what happened. It looks like a suicide to me.”

Carlson, however, pushed the opposite narrative, claiming that the circumstances were suspicious: Balaji had been calmly ordering food and speaking with family on the day of his death, while security camera wires near his residence were reportedly cut. Afterward, blood was allegedly found in multiple rooms, with signs of a struggle.

“Seems really obvious he was murdered,” Carlson concluded.

He further suggested that Balaji’s mother believes the order to eliminate her son came from Altman himself. Altman bristled at the claim, responding:

“I haven’t done too many interviews where I’ve been accused of, like…”

Carlson clarified that he wasn’t directly accusing Altman of committing the crime, but argued that authorities were too quick to dismiss the case as suicide despite evidence pointing otherwise.

Many online users were unconvinced by Altman’s remarks, fueling viral claims that the OpenAI chief was lying — and could even be connected to Balaji’s mysterious death.