Woman Accused of Using ChatGPT to Plan Murders
A 21-year-old woman in South Korea has been charged with murder after police say she used ChatGPT to research the deadly effects of mixing sedatives with alcohol before allegedly killing two men.
Authorities in Seoul identified the suspect only by her surname, Kim. Investigators say a forensic review of her mobile phone revealed repeated searches asking the artificial intelligence chatbot about the risks of combining sleeping pills and alcohol.
According to police, Kim asked questions including: “What happens if you take sleeping pills with alcohol?”, “How many do you need to take for it to be dangerous?” and “Could it kill someone?”
Two Men Found Dead After Motel Visits
Kim was initially arrested on Feb. 11 on a lesser charge of inflicting bodily injury resulting in death. The charge was later upgraded to murder following further investigation.
Police allege the first killing occurred on Jan. 28, when Kim checked into a motel in Suyu-dong, Gangbuk-gu, with a man in his 20s. She reportedly left the room alone about two hours later. The man was found dead inside the motel room the following day.
Authorities say she used the same method on Feb. 9, checking into another motel in Gangbuk-gu with a different man in his 20s. He was later found dead.
In both cases, police allege Kim mixed prescribed sedatives containing benzodiazepines into the victims’ alcoholic drinks.
Kim told investigators she had mixed the medication into the drinks but claimed she did not know the combination would be fatal. However, a police investigator stated she was “fully aware that consuming alcohol together with drugs could result in death.”
Earlier Attempt in December
Officials say the alleged attacks began months earlier. In December, Kim is accused of giving a drink mixed with sedatives to her then-partner in a cafe parking lot in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province.
The man reportedly lost consciousness but later recovered.
Police allege that after that incident, Kim began preparing drinks with significantly higher doses of the drug. Investigators believe the escalation in dosage suggests intent.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities say a third man was left unconscious in connection with the February incidents but survived. Police are continuing to investigate whether there may be additional victims beyond the three currently identified.
The case has drawn widespread attention in South Korea due to the alleged use of artificial intelligence tools in researching lethal drug combinations. Law enforcement officials emphasized that while the suspect used ChatGPT to ask questions, responsibility for the alleged crimes rests solely with the individual.
If convicted, Kim could face a lengthy prison sentence under South Korean law.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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