Darron Lee, a former linebacker selected by the New York Jets with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State University, was arrested by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office on February 6, 2025.[1][2] The 30-year-old faces charges of first-degree murder and tampering with or fabricating evidence in connection with the death of Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo.[1][3]

Lee played three seasons with the Jets from 2016 to 2018, recording 216 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 4 interceptions in 45 games.[4][5] He later spent one season each with the Kansas City Chiefs (2019), Buffalo Bills (2020), and Las Vegas Raiders (2021), appearing in 16 games with the Raiders before becoming a free agent.[4][5]

Perpétuo was found dead in a residence in Ooltewah, a suburb of Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee. A search warrant revealed blood on the walls, stairs, railing, and floor, with the body on the living room floor.[2][3] The autopsy indicated blunt force trauma as a potential cause of death, along with a stab wound to the abdomen, a bite mark on the shoulder, head bruising, and swollen black eyes.[2][3]

During a preliminary hearing, Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp stated that Lee had dozens of conversations with ChatGPT over two days, using it as a "legal advisor." Prosecutors read a prompt where Lee allegedly wrote that his fiancée "stabbed herself," had swollen eyes and was unresponsive, asking "what do I do?" The AI responded with advice on handling the situation.[1][3]

Wamp noted Lee allegedly asked ChatGPT how to "cover it up" and what to tell 911 dispatchers. The judge ordered Lee held without bond, with prosecutors weighing capital punishment eligibility due to the nature of the alleged beating death.[1][2]

Sources

1. Fox News Digital. "Judge orders ex-NFL player Darron Lee held without bond as prosecutors weigh death penalty." March 11, 2025. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/judge-orders-ex-nfl-player-darron-lee-held-bond-prosecutors-death-penalty
2. Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. Arrest report - Darron Lee. February 6, 2025. https://www.hamiltoncountysheriff.com/arrests/darron-lee-2025
3. WDEF News 12. "Prosecutors: Ex-NFL player Darron Lee used ChatGPT to cover up murder." March 10, 2025. https://www.wdef.com/article/news/crime/prosecutors-ex-nfl-darron-lee-chatgpt-murder/
4. Pro-Football-Reference.com. "Darron Lee Career Stats." Accessed October 2024. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LeeDa00.htm
5. NFL.com. "Darron Lee Player Profile." Accessed October 2024. https://www.nfl.com/players/darron-lee/