A 23-year-old woman from Bolton, Greater Manchester, was discovered dead in her bed, one year after she had passed away.
Tragically, police later revealed that her final known conversation had been with the AI chatbot ChatGPT, Daily Mail details.
Discovery made during police welfare check
Charlotte Leader was found on August 6 during a police welfare check at her flat, after staff from the property management company were unable to access her home for a utility inspection.
Detectives believe Ms. Leader likely died in the summer of 2024. Officers found her fridge stocked with food past its July 2024 sell-by dates, the Bolton News reports, and a large pile of unopened mail gathered behind the front door.
Final messages with ChatGPT
In a heartbreaking revelation, police said Ms. Leader’s only recent phone conversations were with ChatGPT. Her final message, sent on July 30, 2024, read: “Help me, I’ve went and got food again.”
The AI assistant responded: “You sound conflicted about having food,” to which she replied: “It’s food that I didn’t want and that’s frustrating.”
Detective Inspector Paul Quinn told Bolton Coroner’s Court: “There were others all in the same context, there’s no conversations with anybody, her only contact was with ChatGPT.”
Years of struggle and isolation
Ms. Leader’s mother, Chantay Simm, said the family lost contact with her in September 2021 and had been unable to locate her since. Neighbors told police they rarely saw her leave her flat.
Assistant Coroner Stephen Teasdale explained that Ms. Leader had struggled with her mental health and eating disorders, including bulimia, from a young age. “In time, she becomes a stranger from the family, she pushes people away, and she disengages from the services as well,” the coroner said.
Records showed she declined a mental health appointment in 2022 and had no further contact with support services after that.
No signs of self-harm or foul play
Despite her isolation, police found no signs of self-harm or intent to end her life. Detective Inspector Quinn described the flat as “immaculately clean,” with no evidence of medication misuse or illicit drugs, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Her sister, Caroline Calow, told the court the flat “looked like someone who cared,” adding that Charlotte was deeply creative and meticulous.
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Cause of death remains unknown
Pathologist Dr. Andrew Coates from Royal Bolton Hospital said Ms. Leader’s body had become mummified (a process that can take around a year) making it difficult to determine a cause of death.
Assistant Coroner Teasdale concluded the inquest with an open verdict, citing insufficient evidence to establish how she died.
Ms. Leader’s family paid tribute to her online, remembering her as a gifted and kind young woman, via The Mirror: “Charlotte was a very beautiful and talented young woman. Her many talents were playing the guitar and keyboard, and she also had a love for art. She was loved tremendously by the family and will be missed every day.”