Story perspectives

AG Adds OpenAI to USF Murder Probe After ChatGPT Query

4/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Attorney General James Uthmeier added OpenAI to the USF murder probe after suspect used ChatGPT.
Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, faces Tampa murder charges, with Limon’s body found and Bristy missing.
Prosecutors presented his purchase of duct tape, trash bags and his April 13 ChatGPT query about disposing a body.
A Hillsborough County judge ordered him held without bond as families urged USF aid, a memorial and Islamic rites, which university pledged support.

History

Historical Context

After the EU adopted the GDPR in April 2016 and it took effect on 25 May 2018, regulators such as the Irish Data Protection Commission and France’s CNIL began issuing fines—including a €50 million penalty on Google in January 2019 and a €345 million TikTok fine in 2024. In 2024, Attorney General James Uthmeier ordered OpenAI’s logs added to a US murder probe, extending the enforcement trend to AI.

1 of 2

Story summary

Attorney General James Uthmeier added OpenAI to the USF murder probe after suspect used ChatGPT.
Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, faces Tampa murder charges, with Limon’s body found and Bristy missing.
Prosecutors presented his purchase of duct tape, trash bags and his April 13 ChatGPT query about disposing a body.
A Hillsborough County judge ordered him held without bond as families urged USF aid, a memorial and Islamic rites, which university pledged support.

1 / 2