Prosecutors have made a startling allegation in a Tennessee murder case, claiming that former NFL player Darron Lee consulted an artificial intelligence chatbot for guidance on how to conceal his girlfriend's killing before contacting emergency services. The ex-New York Jets linebacker, who faces first-degree murder charges, is accused of using ChatGPT as a "legal advisor" to help cover up the crime scene.
Chatbot Conversations Revealed in Court
During a court hearing in Chattanooga, authorities displayed messages showing Lee's interactions with the AI bot beginning on February 4th. This was just one day before first responders arrived at a residence in Ooltewah, a suburb of Chattanooga, for a CPR call and discovered Gabriella Perpetuo already deceased. The 31-year-old athlete remains in custody without bond, charged with both murder and evidence tampering.
Disturbing AI Queries About Injuries
In one particularly troubling message presented by prosecutors, Lee wrote to the chatbot: "Dont know what to do right now, Fiancee did her crazy thing again and now she's messed up, i wake up and she has two swollen eyes(i didnt do anything, self inflicted) she stabbed herself, slit her eye? Idk but she isnt waking or responding, what do I do?"
Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp asserted that Lee was essentially using the AI system "to basically give him advice on how you cover up a crime scene." The defendant also inquired about "physical signs of injury of slip and fall in bathroom/shower" and asked what to tell a friend about handling someone who is non-responsive when that friend doesn't want to involve police.
Contradictory Evidence and Injuries
Authorities discovered extensive evidence contradicting Lee's account of events. According to arrest affidavits, search warrants revealed multiple kinds of trauma to Perpetuo's body, including:
- A stab wound to her abdomen
- An apparent human bite mark on her shoulder
- A large bruise on her head
- Black eyes with heavy swelling
- Dried blood on her face and neck
Additionally, the victim suffered a severe brain injury and a broken neck, according to testimony from a Hamilton County Sheriff's Office detective. Prosecutors noted she had additional stab wounds on her legs while wearing pants without corresponding cut marks, suggesting the clothing was placed on her body after the injuries occurred.
Crime Scene Investigation Findings
Crime scene detectives identified blood that had been attempted to be cleaned in multiple areas of the house. Cleaning supplies were found near locations where testing confirmed blood stains despite no visible blood remaining. In body camera footage shown in court, Lee told investigators he had been "sleeping a long time" before discovering his girlfriend unresponsive on a couch.
Legal Proceedings and Background
Deputy public defender Mike Little, representing Lee during the hearing, stated "Something happened but we don't know what happened." The judge found probable cause to advance the case against the former athlete.
Prosecutors revealed that Lee was on probation in Florida for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in one county and battery in another, while also serving probation in Ohio for attempted battery. Perpetuo's family has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the former NFL player.
Darron Lee played 58 games in the NFL with the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, and Buffalo Bills between 2016 and 2020. The former Ohio State linebacker was selected 20th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Jets and was named defensive MVP of the 2015 Sugar Bowl during his college career.
