Police in Seoul's Gangbuk District announced on 19/2 that a suspect, identified as Kim, is accused of killing two men. She allegedly administered drinks containing benzodiazepine, a sedative prescribed for her mental illness, which depresses the central nervous system and slows brain activity.
The police investigation revealed Kim had previously queried ChatGPT about drug risks. Her questions included: "What happens if you drink sleeping pills with alcohol?", "What dosage is considered dangerous?", and "Can it be fatal?".
Kim was initially arrested on 11/2 on charges of injury resulting in death. However, police later referred her to prosecutors for a murder investigation, after concluding her online activity log indicated an intent to kill. The lesser charge typically applies when a suspect intends to cause injury but inadvertently causes a victim's death.
An investigator stated, "Kim repeatedly posed drug-related questions on ChatGPT. She was fully aware that combining alcohol with these drugs could be fatal."
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Suspect Kim (wearing a hat) at the Northern Seoul District Court on 12/2. *Photo: Yonhap*
Kim allegedly carried out her first attack at 21h24 on 28/1. She entered a Gangbuk motel with a man in his 20s, then left alone approximately two hours later. The man was discovered dead in his room around 18h the following day.
Using a similar method, Kim is accused of killing a second man on 9/2 after checking into another Gangbuk motel with him.
Prior to these two alleged murders, Kim reportedly attempted a similar crime last December. She gave her boyfriend a drug-laced drink in a cafe parking lot in Namyangju, Gyeonggi province, causing him to lose consciousness. Fortunately, he survived without life-threatening injuries.
Police stated that after the failed attempt with her boyfriend, Kim prepared drinks for subsequent victims with significantly higher drug dosages.
Kim admitted to police that she mixed her prescribed mental illness medication into anti-hangover drinks and gave them to the victims. However, she maintained she was unaware the dosage could be lethal.
Police plan to continue their investigation to determine if there are additional victims beyond the three already identified.
Police have conducted a psychiatric evaluation and in-depth interviews with the suspect, aided by a psychological analyst, to establish her psychological profile. These findings may be considered during the prosecution's decision-making.
*Tue Anh (Korea Herald, People)*
