Evidence reveals ChatGPT query, injury pattern in Lee case
Victim's severe injuries and Lee's ChatGPT query about shower falls form key prosecution evidence.
Event / Security
Darron Lee Murder Case
Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee indicted on first-degree murder charge in the death of his girlfriend Gabriela Perpetuo in February 2025. Lee allegedly consulted ChatGPT about concealing the crime and attempted to stage the scene as a shower accident. He had prior assault convictions and was on probation at the time.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 12 Jun, 02:37 UTC
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What happened
Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee indicted on first-degree murder charge
Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee was indicted on a first-degree murder charge by a grand jury in Hamilton County, Tennessee on June 9, 2026. The indictment relates to the death of his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpetuo, 29, who was found dead on February 5, 2026 in a rental home in Ooltewah, Tennessee. Prosecutors dismissed a tampering with evidence charge and will focus solely on the murder charge. If convicted, Lee could face a life sentence, and a decision on whether to pursue the death penalty will be made in the coming weeks.
Victim suffered severe trauma including brain injury, broken neck, and stab wounds
Detective Brian Lockhart testified that the victim, Gabriella Perpetuo, sustained severe injuries including severe brain trauma, a broken neck, bruising across her body, a large bite mark on her shoulder and thigh, stab wounds to her legs, and significant facial trauma. Blood was found throughout the rental home on staircases, walls, floors, and railings in nearly every room except one.
Lee had prior assault and drug possession charges in 2023
In 2023, Darron Lee was charged with three assaults involving his mother, the mother of his child, and another man. He was also charged with felony drug possession after failing to appear for a court date. In 2025, he pleaded guilty to two lesser counts related to these charges.
Defendant queried ChatGPT about injuries consistent with shower fall
Prosecutors presented evidence showing that Darron Lee had queried the ChatGPT artificial intelligence chatbot asking how to deal with an unresponsive person and what injuries would be consistent with someone falling in a shower, including questions about bruising around the eyes and stab-like wounds. The ChatGPT logs were presented as evidence at a preliminary hearing in March 2026.
Lee allegedly consulted ChatGPT about concealing evidence after Perpetuo's death
Prosecutors allege that Darron Lee consulted the AI chatbot ChatGPT after Perpetuo's death, asking how to obtain medical help without calling police and inquiring about injuries consistent with a shower fall. Lee allegedly asked whether a fall could cause bruising to both eyes and injuries described as 'stabby looking wounds.'
Lee denied bond and remains in custody
Darron Lee was denied bond at his bond hearing and remains incarcerated in the Hamilton County Jail without bond pending trial on the first-degree murder charge.
Lee violated probation terms by moving to Tennessee without approval
A Tennessee Department of Corrections and Parole officer testified that Lee moved to Tennessee without approval from his probation officers in Ohio and Florida, putting him in violation of his supervision terms.
Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee indicted on first-degree murder charge
Darron Lee, a 2016 first-round pick by the New York Jets who also played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, was indicted by a grand jury in Hamilton County, Tennessee on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Gabriela Perpetuo. The first-degree murder conviction carries a potential life sentence, and prosecutors are evaluating whether to pursue the death penalty.
Prosecutors dismissed tampering with evidence charge against Lee
Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp announced that prosecutors dismissed a separate charge of tampering with evidence against Darron Lee to focus solely on the first-degree murder charge.
Lee had prior assault convictions in Ohio and Florida
At the time of his arrest, Lee was on probation in Franklin County, Ohio and Alachua County, Florida for separate alleged assaults. In a 2023 incident in Ohio, records show Lee pushed a woman and punched her in the face multiple times. He was also on probation for an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon conviction in Florida.
Perpetuo's estate files $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against Lee
The estate of Gabriela Perpetuo filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against Darron Lee in civil court.
Gabriela Perpetuo died from multiple blunt force injuries
Gabriela Perpetuo, 29, died in February from multiple blunt force trauma. An autopsy revealed 12 different injuries including multiple hematomas, bone fractures, stab wounds, a broken neck, bite marks on her shoulder and thigh, and facial bruising and cuts.
Evidence of scene cleanup discovered at Lee's residence
At the crime scene, investigators found blood on staircases, handrails, walls, and floors throughout the house. Cleaning supplies including bleach wipes and spray bottles were discovered upstairs, and glass from the microwave was shattered. Multiple alcohol bottles were present throughout the residence.
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2 alternative perspectives
Civil suit seeks $50 million in Perpetuo wrongful death case
Estate files $50 million wrongful death suit; prosecutors drop evidence tampering charge.
Former NFL Linebacker Indicted on First-Degree Murder Charge
Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee indicted for first-degree murder in Gabriela Perpetuo's death.