Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee is facing serious criminal charges in Hamilton County, Tennessee after the death of his girlfriend, Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo.
Authorities say Lee, 31, was arrested on February 5, 2026, after deputies responded to a call about a woman who was not breathing.
He has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence and is being held without bond as the case moves through court.
Prosecutors later revealed that Lee had sent suspicious messages to ChatGPT just one day before the woman was found dead, raising further questions about what happened inside the home.
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| Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo |
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| Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo |
The case began to unfold on February 5, 2026, when Lee called 911 and reported that his girlfriend was unresponsive. When first responders arrived, they tried to save Perpétuo, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Dputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office were also notified and they arrived at the couple’s home while CPR was in progress.
Body camera footage shown in court captured Lee telling an officer he found Perpétuo unresponsive on the couch and “immediately called 911 because I’m like, what the hell happened.” He also said he had been sleeping for a long time before discovering her.
Preliminarily investigations later determined her death was a homicide as she had a broken neck, a serious brain injury, stab wounds, and a bite mark.
Detectives also uncovered that Lee allegedly sent messages to ChatGPT a day earlier, describing a troubling situation. In those messages, he claimed his girlfriend had harmed herself and asked what he should do, as reported by NBC News.
“She stabbed herself… she isn’t waking up or responding, what do I do?” one message read, according to court records.
Prosecutors said Lee also asked what to tell a friend who wanted to call the police, writing: “what should I tell my friend to handle someone non responsive but wants to call the police"
All these and more implicating evidence led detectives to believe the former NFL linebacker was lying so he was arrested and charged.
During a preliminary hearing, a judge described the death as “especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel,” adding that it involved alleged abuse beyond what would normally cause death.
Lee is currently being held at the Hamilton County Jail without bond as he awaits further court proceedings. His next court appearance is expected in the coming weeks.
Beyond the criminal case, the victim’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking at least $50 million in damages. The lawsuit claims Perpétuo suffered severe physical pain and emotional distress before her death.
The family’s attorney stated they are working to locate Lee’s assets, saying, “The challenge for us is to find the assets, protect the assets, and make sure the assets go to the damaged party, which is the family.”
Perpétuo’s family has also spoken publicly about her life, describing her as someone who cared deeply for others and was studying to become a nurse. Her mother shared a brief message: “We love you… We all love you"
As the investigation continues, prosecutors are expected to rely on both physical evidence and the digital messages presented in court to build their case.
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