CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WTVC) — Jurors heard Darron Lee’s own words in court Monday during a preliminary hearing on charges he murdered his girlfriend in a home in Ooltewah.
Police body camera footage played during his preliminary hearing captured the former NFL player describing what he claimed was the moment he found his girlfriend unresponsive inside their Ooltewah home.
“She wasn’t saying anything and that’s when I called 911 immediately and I was like what is going on.. I was asleep for a long time,” Lee said in the video shown in court.
Detectives testified that BlueStar technology revealed the presence of blood in the Ooltewah home. Photo: WTVC
Detectives testified that BlueStar technology revealed the presence of blood in the Ooltewah home.
Detectives also shared what they say is a question Lee posed to ChatGPT:
Don’t know what to do right now. Fiancee [sic] did her crazy thing again and now she’s messed up, I wake up and she has two swollen eyes (i didn’t do anything, self inflicted) she stabbed herself, slit her eye? Idk but she isn’t waking up or responding, what do I do?
The prosecution also showed ChatGPT’s response, which includes “Here’s what to say without framing it as police trouble.”
“You have Mr. Lee using Chatgpt as a legal advisor, as a defense attorney, asking ChatGPT to basically give him advice on how you cover up a crime scene,” said D.A. Coty Wamp.
Lee faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of his girlfriend, Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo, whose body deputies found inside a home on Snow Cone Way last month.
Read more: ‘Blood in every room:’ New details at hearing for ex-NFL player charged with murder
Darron Lee appears in a Hamilton County Criminal Court, Feb. 11th, 2026. Photo: WTVC
Investigators have said the scene inside the home raised immediate concerns, citing evidence of a violent struggle and injuries inconsistent with an accidental fall. Prosecutors previously told the court the victim suffered blunt force trauma and multiple other injuries.
Lee remains in custody without bond.
Monday’s preliminary hearing marks the latest development in a case that has drawn national attention.
In recent weeks, Perpetuo’s family filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against Lee, seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
We have a crew inside the courtroom and we will continue to update this story as additional testimony unfolds.
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