ChatGPT Searches Cited in South Korea Double Murder Case

A 21-year-old woman in South Korea is charged with murdering two men after police found she used ChatGPT to research mixing sedatives with alcohol before the deaths.

A 21-year-old woman in South Korea, identified by her surname Kim, has been charged with the premeditated murders of two men after investigators found that she used the AI chatbot ChatGPT to research the effects of mixing prescription sedatives with alcohol prior to their deaths. Police are continuing to investigate whether there may be additional victims connected to similar incidents.

Key Facts

• Kim, a 21-year-old woman, was charged with murder after two men were found dead in separate Seoul motels.
• Police allege she used ChatGPT to ask detailed questions about the dangers of combining sleeping pills with alcohol before the incidents.
• The first fatal incident took place on January 28, and a second on February 9, 2026.
• Authorities also link a December 2025 non-fatal poisoning attempt involving her then-partner.

Main Development

According to authorities, Kim allegedly administered alcoholic drinks containing high doses of prescription sedatives to two men in their 20s, who were later found dead in separate motels in Seoul’s Gangbuk District. Investigators reported that the woman’s phone contained a series of specific ChatGPT queries about the risks and lethality of combining sedative medications with alcohol prior to the deaths — including questions about dangerous doses and fatal outcomes.

Police have upgraded the charges from inflicting bodily injury resulting in death to murder, arguing that the specificity and repetition of her AI searches indicate intent. Kim has denied intending to cause death, but officials believe the digital record, including repeated AI queries, contradicts her claims.

Investigation and Legal Proceedings

Kim was initially arrested on February 11, 2026, but her charges were elevated as evidence from phone records convinced investigators of premeditation. Authorities are also looking into whether other similar incidents may be connected, and the suspect is expected to undergo psychological assessments as part of the legal process.

Role of AI Search History

This case highlights how digital footprints — including interactions with AI chatbots — can play a central role in criminal investigations. South Korean police have increasingly examined generative AI histories alongside traditional digital records to help establish intent in serious crimes.

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