Tennessee prosecutors said former NFL player Darron Lee, who was a first-round pick by the New York Jets in 2016, repeatedly asked ChatGPT how to handle the situation after his girlfriend's death.
This information was revealed during a preliminary hearing held on March 9.
According to District Attorney Coty Wamp, Lee had dozens of exchanges with the chatbot over the course of two days, asking how to dispose of the body and hide the incident, as well as how to speak to emergency dispatchers.
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Content of questions sent to the AI
In the messages presented in court, Lee wrote:
“I don't know what to do. Something happened to my girlfriend and she won't wake up.”
Lee also asked whether a slip-and-fall accident could cause injuries similar to those found on the victim's body.
Prosecutors stated that Lee also asked:
- what to say when calling 911
- how to handle the situation to avoid criminal prosecution
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Crime scene showed many signs of a struggle
The body of Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo was discovered in a house in Ooltewah, near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Police said the interior of the house showed numerous signs that a struggle had occurred:
- blood found in multiple areas of the house
- broken furniture
- broken liquor bottles and glass on the floor
Investigators also found bleach wipes and cleaning solutions inside the home.
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Forensic conclusions
According to the autopsy report, the victim died from blunt force trauma to the head.
The report also noted:
- a broken neck
- multiple bruises on the body
- injuries to the face and legs
These signs were inconsistent with the theory of a slip-and-fall accident.
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Facing the death penalty
Darron Lee, 31, is currently charged with:
- first-degree murder
- tampering with evidence
The court has denied bail.
Prosecutors said that if convicted, Lee could face the death penalty.
