The incident occurred in Ooltewah, Hamilton County, Tennessee (a suburb of Chattanooga, USA).

Key details:

Suspect: Darron Lee, 31, former NFL linebacker (first-round draft in 2016 for the New York Jets, previously played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Las Vegas Raiders).

Victim: Gabriella Perpetuo, 29, Lee’s girlfriend (the couple lived together in their home).

Timeline:

February 4, 2026: Lee began chatting dozens of messages with ChatGPT, asking how to handle an “unresponsive person,” signs of a “fall,” if someone “stabbed themselves,” and how to clean up the scene and conceal injuries.

Morning of February 5, 2026: Lee called 911 reporting “CPR in progress.” When police arrived, Perpetuo was already ᴅᴇᴀᴅ with multiple stab wounds (blood was scattered throughout the house). Lee was arrested at the scene.

ChatGPT evidence (presented at the preliminary hearing on March 9-10, 2026):
Prosecutors (Hamilton County Coty Wamp prosecutors) presented dozens of messages: Lee asked the AI ​​“Don’t know what to do right now,” “What are signs of a fall?”, “How to stage self-inflicted injury,” and used ChatGPT as a “legal advisor” to cover up the crime scene.

The prosecutor stated: “You have Mr. Lee using ChatGPT as a defense attorney, asking it how to cover up a crime scene.”

Charges & Trial:

First-degree murder.

Tampering with/fabricating evidence.

Lee was detained without bail (no bond) at Hamilton County Jail.

Preliminary hearing concluded: The case was transferred to a grand jury. There is a history of domestic violence.

Reactions:

Bodycam footage and bloody images were shown in court, causing widespread shock.

The case went viral due to the “AI-ᴀssisted cover-up” element – ​​the first time ChatGPT was used as crucial evidence in a US homicide case.

Current status (as of March 20, 2026):

Lee remains in custody; no formal trial has taken place. The investigation continues.

Video: