Prosecutors in Tennessee have presented new digital evidence against former NFL linebacker Darron Lee, alleging that he asked an artificial intelligence chatbot for guidance shortly after the death of his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpetuo.
During a preliminary hearing in Hamilton County this week, prosecutors told the court that Lee used the chatbot ChatGPT to search for explanations that might account for the injuries found on Perpetuo before contacting emergency services. Investigators testified that Lee allegedly asked questions about whether a fall could cause severe facial bruising and puncture-like wounds.
Authorities said the 31-year-old former professional athlete was arrested on February 5 after deputies responding to a 911 call discovered Perpetuo, 29, unresponsive inside a residence on Snow Cone Way in Ooltewah, Tennessee. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Lee now faces charges of first-degree murder and tampering with or fabricating evidence as the investigation moves forward.
Prosecutors present alleged AI conversations in court
According to testimony presented during the hearing, investigators recovered conversations in which Lee reportedly sought advice from ChatGPT regarding the injuries suffered by Perpetuo and how to handle the situation medically without immediately involving law enforcement.
One of the questions cited in court asked whether a fall could cause bruising around both eyes along with what Lee allegedly described as “stab-like wounds.” Prosecutors argued that these searches suggest Lee was attempting to develop an explanation for the injuries prior to contacting authorities.
The state also presented body-camera footage from deputies who responded to the emergency call. In the footage, Lee reportedly told officers that his girlfriend had fallen and become unresponsive. However, investigators testified that physical evidence at the scene appeared inconsistent with a simple accidental fall.
Forensic findings and the ongoing legal process
Law enforcement officials told the court that investigators detected blood evidence in multiple areas of the home using forensic testing techniques. Prosecutors said signs of a struggle and possible attempts to clean up parts of the scene were discovered during the investigation.
Medical findings presented during the hearing indicated that the injuries sustained by Perpetuo were severe and did not appear consistent with Lee’s initial explanation. Authorities believe the injuries point toward violent trauma rather than an accidental incident.
Lee, who previously played college football for Ohio State Buckeyes football before being selected in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, later spent time with several teams including the Kansas City Chiefs. Prosecutors confirmed that the case will now proceed toward a grand jury review to determine whether formal charges will move forward to trial.
Lee remains in custody as the legal process continues. Investigators say additional forensic analysis and digital evidence may be presented as the case develops.
