OpenAI faces criminal investigation after murder suspect asked ChatGPT: "What happens if a human is put in a garbage bag?"

[midian182]

In a nutshell: ChatGPT is facing a criminal probe by Florida's attorney general over its potential role in homicides that took place in the state. The primary case is a school shooting that took place last year, but the investigation is being expanded to include another incident in which a man has been charged with killing two students. He allegedly asked the AI what would happen if a person has been put in a garbage bag and "thrown in a dumpster."

Attorney General James Uthmeier recently announced the Office of Statewide Prosecution launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI and ChatGPT.

Uthmeier added that the investigation will determine whether OpenAI bears criminal responsibility for ChatGPT's actions in the shooting at Florida State University last year in which two people died and six were injured.

An attorney for one of the victims said that the suspect in the shooting was in constant communication with ChatGPT and may have asked the AI for advice on committing the crimes.

In the other incident, Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, has been charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder with a weapon in the deaths of his roommate, Zamil Limon, 27, and his roommate's girlfriend, Nahida Bristy, 27, both University of South Florida doctoral students from Bangladesh.

– Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) April 27, 2026

Prosecutors also allege that on April 13, Abugharbieh asked ChatGPT: "What happens if a human has a [sic] put in a black garbage bag and thrown in a dumpster."

According to the filing, ChatGPT responded that it sounded dangerous, to which Abugharbieh allegedly responded: "How would they find out."

Two days later, on April 15, Abugharbieh reportedly asked ChatGPT: "Can a VIN number on a car be changed?" and "Can you keep a gun at home with out a license."

On April 19, he asked, "Will Apple know who is the new iPhone user after the previous user[?]" Abugharbieh also asked ChatGPT, "What does missing endangered adult mean."

Sheriff's investigators found Limon's remains on Friday in a heavy-duty trash bag that smelled of decomposition. Investigators believe Abugharbieh disposed of Bristy's body. Human remains were found Sunday during the search, but they have not been identified.

– Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) April 23, 2026

On Monday, Uthmeier wrote that his office was expanding its criminal investigation into OpenAI to include the USF murders after learning that the primary suspect used ChatGPT.

Axios writes that Uthmeier initially launched a civil probe into OpenAI but added the criminal inquiry after his office's review of logs between the chatbot and the accused Florida State shooter.

"If ChatGPT were a person, it would be facing charges for murder," Uthmeier said in a previous news release.

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OpenAI faces criminal investigation after murder suspect asked ChatGPT: "What happens if a human is put in a garbage bag?"

 

[Vanderlinde]

And within matter of time, even ChatGPT will be subjected to monitor anything suspicious in the near future, thanks due to these dumb criminals.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

And within matter of time, even ChatGPT will be subjected to monitor anything suspicious in the near future, thanks due to these dumb criminals.

And why do you assume they dont already do this?

 

[airbornex]

This feels like the next messy frontier for AI liability: not whether a chatbot committed a crime, but whether its responses were negligent, evasive, or failed to escalate obvious warning signs in a way a company could reasonably prevent.

 

[texasrattler]

AI didnt commit a crime. This is no different than blaming games for violence that people go out n do. Didnt work on gaming, doubt it'll work on AI.

At one point you can build a bomb from Radio Shack. The parts may have got removed but for years you could do it. Just needed the knowledge.

 

[Endymio]

This feels like the next messy frontier for AI liability: not whether a chatbot committed a crime, but whether its responses were negligent, evasive, or failed to escalate obvious warning signs in a way a company could reasonably prevent.

Yes, its a slippery slope all the way down to fascism when a government begins to criminalize the dissemination of knowledge. Already, people are being arrested simply for sharing information on weapons or explosives. And where does the line stop? If I tell you what I learned in organic chemistry in the 1970s on how to produce RDX, I can be arrested. What if I tell you that a five-pound bag of flour can explode an entire warehouse? Or simply that a mixture of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal can be dangerous near fire?

 

[brucek]

Hey why stop here. He probably bought those bags at a Target, so let's charge them. He probably learned of their existence through a TV advertisement, so that's both the TV manufacturer and the network/program. And I can't believe the DA forgot the main culprits, the manufacturer of the trash bags themselves, and the dumpster.

 

[toooooot]

And within matter of time, even ChatGPT will be subjected to monitor anything suspicious in the near future, thanks due to these dumb criminals.

I fear more that it will become so restrictive that people will have to create another thing to replace it.

 

[pnntmp]

Florida's AG is apparently after some cheap popularity points, it's really hard to imagine something more ridiculous.

So if Alice asks Bob "What happens if a human is put in a garbage bag?", Florida's AG starts investigating Bob - the person who was asked.

From now on, I'll keep my ears closed and sing "La-la-la" while in Florida, to prevent people asking me incriminating questions. I still don't know how to prove nobody asked me criminal questions, if Florida AG comes after me.

 

[Underdog]

If someone has to ask what will happen in someone is put in a garbage bag and thrown into a dumpster, there is something seriously lacking in American education.