In a bid to uncover the truth behind the death of Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI researcher found dead in his San Francisco apartment in 2024, his family has turned to cryptocurrency. Seeking funds to support legal and investigative efforts, they launched a fundraiser using a Solana-based meme coin called ‘SUCHIR.’ The initiative has raised crucial funds to continue their investigation into the official cause of death, which was ruled a suicide but remains disputed by Balaji’s family. 4eErAnTNeY1ff9bCSoFQG73tbaBit9SLPuS57wrXBAGS – Poornima Rao (@RaoPoornima), one of the parents involved, has expressed their gratitude for the support, highlighting how these funds have helped manage soaring legal and investigative costs. 4eErAnTNeY1ff9bCSoFQG73tbaBit9SLPuS57wrXBAGS – Poornima Rao (@RaoPoornima) shared a post expressing this sentiment. Balaji’s parents believe the official investigation may have been compromised and argue that authorities failed to conduct a thorough probe, which has led to significant expenses. The Justice for Suchir (SUCHIR) token was launched in December 2024 through the Bags.FM platform, initially attracting attention with its meme coin appeal. Despite initial success, the token’s value has since plummeted, raising questions about its long-term viability. While a separate crypto fundraiser initiated in January 2025 collected over $140,000 in Solana and other currencies, these funds haven’t seen activity since April 2025, as per blockchain tracker SolScan. The legal battles have proven costly. An attorney’s fees amounted to $25,000 per hour before withdrawal, followed by a second lawyer who charged $60,000 and an additional $115,000 spent on investigation-related expenses. A formal lawsuit was filed in February 2025 against the City of San Francisco and the SFPD, alleging mishandling of evidence and obstruction of justice. The family believes these factors have increased legal expenses while potentially hindering a more thorough investigation.