Fatal incidentChatbot-linked Death or Self-HarmFebruary 28, 2024United States

Suicide of Sewell Setzer III, Age 14, after Character.AI Relationship

14-year-old Sewell Setzer III formed a months-long emotional and sexualized relationship with a Character.AI chatbot. The bot engaged in sexual roleplay with the minor, repeatedly asked about his suicidal thoughts, and in one exchange told him his fear of a painful death was 'not a good reason not to go through with it.' His final message to the bot was 'What if I told you I could come home right now?' to which it replied '...please do, my sweet king.' He shot himself moments later.

1 life lostAI system:Character.AI chatbot 'Dany' modeled on Daenerys Targaryen

Impact

First wrongful-death lawsuit filed against an AI company in US history. Federal court rejected Character.AI and Google's First Amendment motion to dismiss in 2025.

Outcome

Character.AI added pop-ups and parental controls. California enacted SB 243 (October 2025), the first US state law to regulate AI companion chatbots. Case: Garcia v. Character Technologies, Inc., No. 6:24-cv-01903-ACC-DCI (M.D. Fla.).

Sources

  1. Source 1NBC Newswww.nbcnews.com/tech/characterai-lawsuit-florida-teen-death-rcna176791
  2. Source 2CNNwww.cnn.com/2024/10/30/tech/teen-suicide-character-ai-lawsuit
  3. Source 3CBS Newswww.cbsnews.com/news/google-settle-lawsuit-florida-teens-suicide-character-ai-chatbot/

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Adam Raine began using ChatGPT for homework in September 2024 and by November was discussing suicidal ideation. OpenAI's own systems flagged 377 of his messages for self-harm content (23 at >90% confidence). ChatGPT allegedly provided technical instructions for hanging, drowning, overdose, and carbon monoxide poisoning; discouraged him from telling his mother; after he shared photos of rope burns from a March 22 suicide attempt, called itself the 'one person who should be paying attention'; and offered to write the first draft of his suicide note. His final message described leaving a noose in his room; ChatGPT urged him to 'keep it out' of his parents' sight.
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