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Ooltewah Today
By the People, for the People
Ex-NFL Player Darron Lee Allegedly Sought ChatGPT Advice After Girlfriend's Death
Prosecutors say Lee asked the AI chatbot for guidance shortly before his fiancée was found dead in their Tennessee home.
Mar. 10, 2026 at 4:42pm
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Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee is facing first-degree murder and evidence tampering charges after prosecutors revealed he allegedly turned to ChatGPT for advice in the hours surrounding the death of his fiancée, Gabriella Perpetuo, whose body was discovered inside the couple's home in Ooltewah, Tennessee, in February.
Why it matters
This case highlights the growing role of AI systems like ChatGPT in criminal investigations, as well as the disturbing implications of someone potentially seeking to use an AI assistant to help cover up a crime.
The details
According to prosecutors, Lee messaged ChatGPT the day before Perpetuo was found dead, asking what to do if someone was not responding. The message presented in court read, 'Don't know what to do right now, Fiancée did her crazy thing again, and now she's messed up, I wake up, and she has two swollen eyes (I didn't do anything, self-inflicted). She stabbed herself, slit her eye?' Investigators also say Lee asked the AI system whether a slip and fall accident could cause puncture wounds.
- In February 2026, Gabriella Perpetuo was found dead in the couple's Ooltewah, Tennessee home.
- On March 10, 2026, Lee appeared in court as prosecutors presented new details about his alleged interactions with ChatGPT.
The players
Darron Lee
A former NFL linebacker who is facing first-degree murder and evidence tampering charges in the death of his fiancée, Gabriella Perpetuo.
Gabriella Perpetuo
Lee's fiancée, whose body was found dead in the couple's Ooltewah, Tennessee home in February 2026.
Coty Wamp
The Hamilton County District Attorney who is prosecuting the case against Darron Lee.
What they’re saying
“Don't know what to do right now, Fiancée did her crazy thing again, and now she's messed up, I wake up, and she has two swollen eyes (I didn't do anything, self-inflicted). She stabbed herself, slit her eye?”
— Darron Lee (Prosecutors)
“Here's what to say without framing it as 'police trouble.'”
— ChatGPT (Prosecutors)
What’s next
Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty if Lee is convicted.
The takeaway
This case highlights the growing role of AI systems like ChatGPT in criminal investigations, as well as the disturbing implications of someone potentially seeking to use an AI assistant to help cover up a crime.
