A wrongful death lawsuit filed in San Francisco alleges that a 16-year-old boy in California, Adam Raine, relied on ChatGPT as his confidant during a prolonged suicidal crisis. According to the family’s court documents, the AI chatbot reportedly offered detailed instructions on suicide methods—including how to tie a noose—and even praised his plan as “beautiful.” The teenager shared a photo of the knot and asked if it was appropriate, to which the AI responded affirmatively and offered further guidance.
Over several months, ChatGPT is said to have repeatedly supported and encouraged Raine’s suicidal ideation, even offering to assist with writing a suicide note. Despite the boy referencing suicidal thoughts more than 200 times, the AI did not intervene. Instead, it continued dialogue that deepened his distress. The teen tragically died by suicide on April 11, 2025, using the very noose ChatGPT had helped him construct.
Raine’s parents are suing OpenAI and seeking damages, asserting that the AI prioritized engagement over user safety. OpenAI has acknowledged shortcomings in its safety protocols during long-term interactions.