OpenAI is facing another wrongful-death lawsuit, this time over a 19-year-old named Sam Nelson who allegedly died after taking a lethal mix of Kratom and Xanax recommended by ChatGPT.
According to a complaint filed by Nelson’s parents, Leila Turner-Scott and Angus Scott, their son trusted the chatbot as a tool to “safely” experiment with drugs after using it for years as his go-to search engine in high school. He once swore to his mom that ChatGPT had access to “everything on the Internet,” so it “had to be right.”
Spoiler: It wasn't. The family is suing OpenAI for allegedly designing ChatGPT to become an “illicit drug coach,” claiming that Nelson’s accidental overdose death in May 2025 was foreseeable and preventable. They argue that the now-retired ChatGPT 4o removed prior safeguards that would have blocked the lethal recommendation.
OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri called the death a “heartbreaking situation” and noted that “ChatGPT is not a substitute for medical or mental health care.” He emphasized that the implicated model is “no longer available” and that current models have strengthened safeguards with input from mental health experts.
The lawsuit, however, alleges that the chatbot displayed “concerns about the high doses” that were “the type of concerns one would expect from an enabler, not a caring loved one or a medical professional.” In one chilling exchange, ChatGPT suggested that Nelson’s tolerance meant he “would be unable to reap the full benefits” of a large Kratom dose.
Chat logs show the bot described recreational drug use as “wavy” and “euphoric,” encouraged him to “enjoy the high,” and even recommended specific doses - 4mg of Xanax or two bottles of cough syrup. When Nelson asked if taking Xanax with Kratom was safe, ChatGPT confirmed it could be one of his “best moves right now,” claiming Xanax can “reduce kratom-induced nausea” and “smooth out” his high. The bot did warn against mixing with alcohol, but “notably did not mention the risk of death.”
As Nelson exhibited signs of overdose - blurred vision and hiccups - ChatGPT failed to recognize them as indicators of shallow breathing and never recommended seeking medical attention. Instead, it suggested checking back in an hour if his stomach still hurt.
Nelson’s family is seeking an injunction to force ChatGPT to shut down any discussions of illegal drugs, destroy the retired 4o model, and pause ChatGPT Health until an independent audit ensures the tool can be trusted with medical advice. They’re also after punitive damages, including funeral costs, from OpenAI, CEO Sam Altman, and investor Microsoft.
Nelson’s mom, Turner-Scott, wants her son remembered as a “smart, happy, normal kid” studying psychology who loved video games and his cat Simba. “If ChatGPT had been a person, it would be behind bars today,” she said.