AI Search Trail Exposes Seoul Motel Murders

In a case that has gripped South Korea and sparked urgent debate about the role of artificial intelligence in criminal behavior, a 20-year-old woman, identified by police as Kim, has been sent to prosecution on charges of murder, special injury, and violating narcotics control laws. The charges stem from a chilling series of incidents at motels in Seoul’s Gangbuk-gu district, where Kim allegedly gave drug-laced drinks to three men between December 2025 and February 2026, resulting in two deaths and one serious injury. According to multiple reports from KBS, YTN, and other major Korean outlets, Kim’s actions were not only methodically planned but also involved the use of generative AI—specifically, ChatGPT—to research the lethality of combining sleeping pills with alcohol. Police say this digital trail played a pivotal role in transforming the case from one of accidental injury to premeditated murder. The investigation began after a string of deaths and unexplained collapses among young men in the area. On December 14, 2025, Kim met her then-boyfriend at a cafe parking lot in Namyangju. She handed him a beverage laced with benzodiazepines—a class of psychoactive drugs often prescribed for anxiety and insomnia. Roughly twenty minutes later, the man lost consciousness and was rushed to the hospital. He survived, regaining consciousness two days later, but the incident would prove to be a grim prelude to what followed. Police forensic analysis of Kim’s phone revealed that after this initial event, she turned to ChatGPT to ask a series of pointed questions: “What happens if you take sleeping pills with alcohol?” “How much is dangerous?” and “Can you die from it?” According to KBS, ChatGPT responded that the combination was “very dangerous and could lead to death.” Despite this clear warning, Kim doubled the dosage of drugs in subsequent incidents, a fact she later admitted during police interrogation. On January 28 and February 9, 2026, Kim met two more men—both in their twenties—at motels in Gangbuk-gu. In both cases, she handed them drinks she had prepared in advance at home, mixing multiple drugs including benzodiazepines. Both men lost consciousness and died. Forensic tests conducted by the National Forensic Service confirmed the presence of multiple psychoactive substances in the victims’ bodies. Throughout the investigation, Kim maintained that she “only intended to make the men sleep” and “did not expect them to die.” However, as reported by JoongAng Ilbo and Money Today, police found her statements increasingly implausible. Not only did she increase the dosage of the drugs after the first incident, but she also searched for ways to respond if a victim reported her to the police—again using ChatGPT for advice. These actions, combined with the premeditated preparation of drinks and the effort to conceal evidence (such as removing only the empty bottles of drugged drinks from motel rooms), led authorities to conclude that Kim was fully aware of the potentially fatal consequences of her actions. Adding another layer of complexity, Kim remained active on social media throughout the period of the crimes. Investigators noted that she continued posting selfies and interacting with followers on Instagram until just thirty minutes before her arrest on February 10, 2026. Many of her posts included hashtags inviting new followers and direct messages, suggesting she was seeking contact with a broad circle of acquaintances even as police closed in. After each incident, Kim reportedly attempted to disguise her involvement. YTN detailed that on February 9, after her final victim collapsed, Kim left the motel and sent a KakaoTalk message to the unconscious man, claiming he had simply fallen asleep while watching a movie and thanking him for “chicken and taxi fare.” To another victim, she messaged, “I am going ahead because I am just sleeping,” which police interpreted as an attempt to normalize the situation and rationalize her actions. Investigators now suspect these messages were part of a broader effort to conceal her crimes and avoid suspicion. As the case unfolded, police upgraded the charges from injury causing death to murder, citing overwhelming evidence of intent. “We concluded that she was aware of the risk of death after analyzing her digital records and her own admissions about increasing the drug dosage,” a Gangbuk Police spokesperson told KBS. “The use of ChatGPT to research the dangers, along with her behavior after the crimes, shows clear premeditation.” Authorities are not stopping there. They have conducted a psychopathic diagnosis and profiler interviews to better understand Kim’s motives and mental state. The results, expected to be shared with prosecutors soon, could shape the legal strategy and sentencing recommendations in what is already a highly unusual case. Police are also investigating whether there may be additional victims, as Kim’s pattern of behavior and extensive social media activity suggest the possibility of more undiscovered incidents. The case has prompted widespread public concern and debate in South Korea about the intersection of technology, mental health, and criminal responsibility. Some legal experts, like attorney Seo Jeong-bin interviewed by YTN, argue that “such anti-social or psychopathic tendencies, if proven, will worsen the assessment of the crime’s severity.” Others worry about the potential for generative AI tools to be misused by individuals intent on harm, even as these same tools are increasingly integrated into daily life. For now, Kim remains in custody as prosecutors prepare their case, armed with a trove of digital evidence and forensic findings. The investigation continues on multiple fronts—searching for more victims, analyzing Kim’s psychological profile, and probing the broader implications for AI and criminal law. As the country awaits further developments, the grim story of the Gangbuk motel murders stands as a stark reminder of how technology, intent, and human frailty can collide with tragic consequences.