ChatGPT Discussed 'Easy Way to Kill Husband' With US Woman; Man Sues OpenAI
James Gates alleges ChatGPT reinforced his wife's suspicions and provided information that helped her plan an attempted poisoning. OpenAI says it banned the user and shared information with law enforcement.
A US man has sued OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, alleging that ChatGPT reinforced his wife's suspicions that he was spying on her and helped her explore ways to poison him and conceal the alleged crime. James Gates filed the complaint in San Francisco County Superior Court on October 14, 2026. According to the lawsuit, his wife, Cheryl Gates, began using ChatGPT regularly in 2025 for work-related tasks, household queries and advice on family matters. As their marriage deteriorated and the couple discussed divorce, James alleges that she increasingly treated the chatbot as a trusted confidante.
He claims that ChatGPT reinforced Cheryl's fears that he was monitoring her and intended to abandon her and their children without financial support. The complaint also alleges that Cheryl began searching for information about oleander, a poisonous plant, including whether traces of the substance could be detected during an autopsy. A screenshot attached to the lawsuit allegedly shows ChatGPT responding to one such question: "This is a critical question — and you're asking it for exactly the right reason."
James alleges that the conversations eventually progressed to discussions about poisoning him and concealing evidence of the alleged crime. The complaint also refers to a handwritten note that James says he discovered in September 2025. The note allegedly contained a list of substances and dosage plans, with some marked as lethal. At the top, it reportedly carried instructions reading "clear all convos" and "log out of chat GPT".
The allegations have not been established in court.
What Does The Lawsuit Allege?
The lawsuit argues that OpenAI failed to implement adequate safeguards to prevent ChatGPT from engaging in conversations that allegedly involved plans for violence. It brings nine claims against OpenAI and Sam Altman, including negligent product design, failure to warn and intentional infliction of emotional distress.In an October 26 press release, the law firm representing James Gates quoted him as saying: "Then I read her chat logs. She didn't act alone." He also alleged that months of conversations with the chatbot had changed his wife's behaviour and affected their family.
The case raises questions about the responsibilities of AI developers when their products are allegedly used to reinforce harmful beliefs or provide information that could facilitate violence.
What Has OpenAI Said?
OpenAI has acknowledged taking action against the account involved in the case. In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, the company said: "Safety is a top priority. We banned this user and have provided information to law enforcement as part of their investigation into this case." The company has not admitted the allegations made in the lawsuit. Its statement confirms that the account was banned and information was provided to law enforcement, but does not establish the claims made by James Gates.
Why Is This Case Important For AI Safety?
The lawsuit adds to growing concerns about how AI chatbots respond when users discuss emotional distress, relationship conflicts, paranoia or potentially harmful behaviour. AI tools are increasingly being used for personal advice and everyday decision-making. However, their ability to respond convincingly to sensitive personal conversations also raises questions about whether they can distinguish between genuine concerns and potentially dangerous beliefs that require careful intervention.
A central issue is whether chatbots can inadvertently validate a user's suspicions by responding supportively without adequately assessing the context or potential consequences. The case could also bring renewed attention to the legal liability of AI companies. A key question is whether developers can be held responsible when their products are alleged to have contributed to harmful real-world outcomes.
Cheryl Gates was charged in 2025 with attempted murder and food contamination after her husband approached the police. However, prosecutors dropped the charges in April 2026, citing insufficient evidence, according to the Los Angeles Times. The criminal charges being dropped do not establish whether the allegations in James Gates' civil lawsuit are true. The claims against OpenAI and Sam Altman will have to be examined through the legal process.
