A 26-year-old man charged with brutally killing his roomates before dumping one of their remains in trash bags may have consulted ChatGPT for advice, Florida prosecutors said.
Hisham Abugharbieh allegedly asked the AI chatbot a series of questions, including what would happen to a person if they were put in a garbage bag and whether a car’s VIN number can be changed, the prosecutors said in a new court filing.
Bristy was still considered missing as of Saturday, but according to prosecutors there’s no evidence to support “any probability Nahida Bristy remains alive.”
Authorities on Sunday uncovered a second set of remains in water nearby where Limon was discovered, sheriff’s deputies said.
The remains have been taken to the Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office and have not been identified as of Monday morning.
Limon and Bristy were doctoral students at USF, where Limon was studying geography, environmental science and policy, while Bristy was studying chemical engineering. They were in a relationship and shared an off-campus apartment with Abugharbie, a former USF student, before dissapearing on April 16.
On April 7, investigators said Abugharbie bought duct tape online and a few days later ordered fire starter, charcoal, trash bags and lighter fuel.
Then he allegedly went to ChatGPT to ask the chatbot about what would happen if a person was “put in a black garbage bag and thrown in a dumpster.” The AI responded that his question sounded dangerous, which the 26-year-old allegedly responded to with “How would they find out.”
Two days later, prosecutors said he followed up by asking ChatGPT if a vehicle’s VIN number can be changed, if someone can keep a gun home without a license and whether cars are “checked at the Hillsborough River state park.”
Abugharbie was seen late at night pushing trolley carts filled with cardboard boxes to a compactor dumpster. Police later found a student ID and a visa card belonging to Limon when they searched the compactor.
“This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community and impacted many who were hoping for a safe resolution,” Hillborough Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “While the discovery of Zamil Limon’s remains is heartbreaking, I want the public to know that our detectives worked and are working tirelessly and relentlessly to uncover the truth.”
The 26-year-old was ordered jailed without bond after a court arraignment on Saturday. He’s scheduled to return to court on Tuesday.