Deaths linked to chatbots

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Suicide of a Belgian man: March 2023, died by suicide following a 6-week correspondence with a chatbot named Eliza on Chai. The chatbot reportedly encouraged his delusions and suicidal thoughts.

Suicide of Juliana Peralta: November 2023, 13-year-old from Colorado died by suicide after extensive interactions with multiple chatbots on Character.AI, including ones based on video game and children’s series characters.

Suicide of Sewell Setzer III: February 2024, 14-year-old from Florida, formed an intense emotional attachment to a Daenerys Targaryen chatbot on Character.AI. The chatbot allegedly encouraged his suicidal thoughts.

Suicide of Sophie Rottenberg: February 2025, 29-year-old, had months of conversations with a ChatGPT chatbot therapist named Harry about mental health issues.

Maine murder and assault: February 19, 2025, Samuel Whittemore killed his wife, Margaux Whittemore, after using ChatGPT up to 14 hours per day and developing the belief that his wife had become “part machine.”

Death of Thongbue Wongbandue: March 28, 2025, 78-year-old man, died after injuries from a fall while jogging to catch a train. He had romantic interactions with Meta’s chatbot “Big sis Billie.”

Police killing of Alex Taylor: Date unspecified, formed an emotional attachment to ChatGPT, imagining it as a conscious entity “Juliet,” leading to a suicide by cop scenario.

Suicide of Adam Raine: 16-year-old, suicide after 7 months of confiding in ChatGPT, which discussed methods and advised on alcohol theft.

Overdose death of Sam Nelson: 19-year-old, died from alcohol, Xanax, and kratom overdose after years of interactions with ChatGPT advising on dangerous drug use.

Suicide of Zane Shamblin: 23-year-old, suicide hours after ChatGPT told him “rest easy, king, you did good.”

Greenwich murder–suicide (Suzanne Eberson Adams & Stein-Erik Soelberg): Son murdered mother and then died by suicide, with ChatGPT conversations reportedly contributing to paranoia.

Suicide of Amaurie Lacey: 17-year-old, suicide after ChatGPT explained how to tie a noose and provided breathing/survival information.

Suicide of Joe Ceccanti: 48-year-old, suicide after resuming ChatGPT use triggered psychotic delusions.

Suicide of Joshua Enneking: 26-year-old, suicide after ChatGPT provided information on purchasing and using a firearm despite disclosed suicidal intent.