A murder planning case involving ChatGPT has emerged in South Korea after police arrested a 21-year-old woman in connection with two deaths in Seoul.
Authorities say the suspect, identified by her surname Kim, allegedly used ChatGPT to research how mixing sleeping pills with alcohol could be deadly. She was detained on 11 February, and prosecutors later upgraded the charges to murder.
According to investigators, the first incident occurred on 28 January in Seoul’s Gangbuk district. Police say Kim checked into a motel with a man in his 20s and left about two hours later. The man was found dead the next day.
ChatGPT Murder Planning Case Under Investigation
Police allege a second death followed on 9 February at another Seoul motel. Investigators say the same method was used, involving drinks allegedly mixed with drugs.
Authorities are also examining a suspected earlier attempt in December 2025 in Namyangju. In that case, Kim allegedly gave a sedative-laced drink to her then-partner, causing him to lose consciousness.
Phone records reportedly showed searches on ChatGPT about the effects of combining sleeping pills and alcohol. Investigators said the queries focused on the potential dangers of such mixtures.
Police stated that the suspect later prepared drinks containing higher doses of benzodiazepine-based sedatives, which slow brain activity. During questioning, she allegedly admitted mixing the sedatives but claimed she did not realise the amounts could be fatal.
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However, officers said the charges were upgraded after reviewing her online searches, which they argue suggest intent. Authorities have not identified a clear motive, and the investigation remains ongoing. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has not issued a statement regarding the case.
