Ex-NFL Linebacker Charged in Girlfriend’s Death Sought ChatGPT Advice Before Calling 911
Mar 11th 2026
Court filings and hearing testimony show former NFL linebacker Darron Lee contacted ChatGPT the day before Gabriella Perpetuo was found dead, and he now faces murder and evidence tampering charges after prosecutors presented the chatbot messages in court.
- Darron Lee, 31, is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with or fabricating evidence in the Feb. 5 death of his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpetuo, 29.
- Court documents show Lee messaged ChatGPT on Feb. 4 saying Perpetuo had "stabbed herself" and asking what he should do.
- Prosecutors presented the chatbot messages at a preliminary hearing in Hamilton County, Tennessee.
- Authorities say Perpetuo was found Feb. 5 with a broken neck, severe brain injury, stab wounds, and a bite mark, according to court records.
- Lee is being held without bond and his attorney has said it is too early to comment.
- A judge described the death as especially heinous and said it allegedly involved torture or physical abuse beyond that necessary to cause death.