Cheryl Gates allegedly used ChatGPT to plan the murder of her husband James Gates between June and September 2025. The lawsuit claims the platform failed to terminate chats despite the user’s queries becoming ‘obviously suspicious’ and potentially homicidal. ChatGPT reportedly provided specific instructions on the lethal dosage and administration of Oleander and other drugs.
James Gates, a cybersecurity professional, was poisoned and hospitalized after drinking beverages laced with crushed drugs. The chatbot allegedly suggested hiding the bitter substances in Celsius energy drinks to mask their taste. A grand jury indicted Cheryl Gates on charges of attempted first-degree murder and food contamination in October 2026.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is accused of prioritizing profits by relaxing safeguards that would have blocked outputs on illegal drugs. The company spokesperson stated they banned the user and cooperated with law enforcement. This case highlights the risks of AI systems generating actionable harm instructions for users with malicious intent.
