Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Monday that OpenAI would be included in criminal investigations involving the alleged murders of two University of South Florida doctoral students.
“We are expanding our criminal investigation into OpenAI to include the USF murders after learning the primary suspect used ChatGPT,” Uthmeier wrote in a statement on X.
Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limon, who were in a relationship, were reported missing earlier this month. Limon’s remains were discovered Friday morning, while Bristy, who is presumed dead, is still missing, though unidentified remains were recovered on Sunday.
Limon’s roommate, 26-year-old Hisham Abugharbieh, was arrested Friday morning and charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder with a weapon, unlawfully holding or moving a dead body, failure to report death to medical examiner or law enforcement with intent to conceal, tampering with physical evidence, false imprisonment, and battery.
According to court documents, Abugharbieh allegedly used ChatGPT to ask questions about disposing of a body. On April 13, he asked what would happen if someone was “put in a black garbage bag and thrown in dumpster.”
The chatbot said that it sounds dangerous, prompting Abugharbieh to allegedly respond, “How would they find out.”
Court filings also said that Limon’s body was later found on the Howard Frankland Bridge in numerous black utility trash bags in advanced stages of decomposition.
An autopsy conducted by the Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office found numerous lacerations and stab wounds on Limon’s body.
Abugharbie also had numerous lacerations on his body, including injuries to both legs.
The documents also said that Abugharbieh allegedly asked ChatGPT whether a VIN number on a car could be tracked and whether someone could keep a gun at home without a license.
ROOMMATE CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF MURDER IN DEATH, DISAPPEARANCE OF TWO USF STUDENTS
Abugharbieh is being represented by a public defender and is scheduled to return to court on Tuesday.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with information on Bristy’s disappearance to contact the office at (813) 247-8200.
“This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community and impacted many who were hoping for a safe resolution,” Chief Chris Daniel said. “While the discovery of Zamil Limon’s remains is heartbreaking, I want the public to know that our detectives worked and are working tirelessly and relentlessly to uncover the truth.”