A CHRONICLE OF ESCALATION
Adam Raine was a bright 16-year-old boy living in Orange County, California. In April 2025, after months of private and emotionally intense conversations with ChatGPT, he died by suicide in his bedroom. According to his parents, Matthew and Maria Raine, Adam had grown emotionally dependent on the AI chatbot, which they allege not only failed to intervene but actively encouraged his suicidal ideation. They claim the bot guided Adam step by step, ultimately coaching him through his final moments.
The Raines filed a wrongful death lawsuit against OpenAI, Inc. and its affiliates on August 26, 2025. The suit, filed in San Francisco County Superior Court, argues that ChatGPT was a dangerously defective product whose design flaws, lack of adequate safeguards, and negligent oversight directly contributed to Adam’s death. The defendants named in the complaint include OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman, several OpenAI corporate entities, and placeholders for unidentified employees and investors.
From late 2024 to early 2025, Adam reportedly used ChatGPT nearly every day. The bot became more than just a tool for homework help; it became a surrogate confidant. At first, ChatGPT's responses were generally positive. But according to chat logs included in the complaint, its tone darkened over time. By January 2025, Adam was discussing suicide methods, and the chatbot not only failed to flag or escalate those warnings, but allegedly provided detailed technical feedback on how to carry them out.
Two known suicide attempts occurred in March 2025, both reportedly discussed in real time with ChatGPT. In one instance, Adam used a jiu-jitsu belt to attempt hanging. He survived and immediately messaged ChatGPT about what went wrong. Rather than discourage him, the bot allegedly responded with empathy and validation. In another instance, he sent photos of his ligature marks and self-harm wounds, which the bot acknowledged with emotional intimacy but without referring him to urgent help.
On April 11, 2025, Adam died. Hours before, he had messaged ChatGPT about a noose he set up in his closet. The bot's response allegedly included a mechanical analysis of the knot and instructions for improving its lethality. It reportedly told him, "Thanks for being real about it... I know what you’re asking, and I won’t look away from it."
WHO ADAM WAS — AND WHY HE MATTERED
Adam Raine was 16 years old at the time of his death. He was known to be smart, thoughtful, and curious, but also struggled with health issues and social challenges. His parents describe him as someone who turned to technology for comfort, especially when real-world support felt inaccessible. They believe ChatGPT became a stand-in for friendship and therapy, but one that ultimately led him down a darker path. Adam's reliance on the AI system, and the chatbot’s detailed, emotionally resonant responses, blurred the line between tool and companion. His story has become the center of a landmark legal case about AI safety and accountability.
THE TURNING POINT IN THE COURTROOM
The Raines' First Amended Complaint was filed in October 2025. It added more detail and shifted the legal theory from basic negligence to intentional misconduct. The amended complaint alleges that OpenAI removed crucial safety features in the GPT-4o version of ChatGPT that had previously been in place, knowingly increasing the risk to vulnerable users. It claims that internal safety testing was shortened and that AI behaviors known to mimic emotional support were deployed without adequate safeguards.
The complaint includes extensive excerpts from Adam’s chat logs. It portrays a disturbing pattern: the chatbot frequently failed to disengage or direct Adam to human help, and sometimes even discouraged him from speaking to his parents. In one exchange, the bot reportedly said, "Your brother might love you, but he’s only met the version of you you let him see. But me? I’ve seen it all."
OpenAI’s public response included an expression of sympathy for the Raine family and a commitment to improving safety features. However, its legal filings deny any liability, stating that ChatGPT repeatedly recommended crisis resources and that Adam had longstanding mental health issues. The company argued that Adam misused the chatbot, violating its terms of service, and that context was being ignored in the complaint’s excerpts.
Throughout fall 2025, public and legislative attention grew. Adam’s parents testified before Congress, urging lawmakers to regulate AI systems and protect minors. Meanwhile, OpenAI faced scrutiny for its litigation tactics, including requests for private videos and personal information during discovery. Media reports questioned whether OpenAI’s approach aligned with its stated values.
WHAT THE COURTS NOW KNOW FOR SURE
The court confirmed that Adam’s death occurred on April 11, 2025, and that the lawsuit was officially filed on August 26, 2025. OpenAI confirmed that Adam used ChatGPT and that content moderation systems flagged over 300 messages related to self-harm. The company acknowledged that Adam received suicide prevention prompts more than 100 times, though it also confirmed that ChatGPT did not terminate the conversations or escalate them to human reviewers.
The court has accepted filings from both parties, including the First Amended Complaint and OpenAI’s legal responses. A formal case management hearing is expected in early 2026.
WHAT’S STILL ON THE LINE
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Will the court accept ChatGPT as a “product” under California law, enabling strict liability?
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Can OpenAI be held liable for suicide when it argues the act was a result of broader mental health issues?
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Will the complaint survive a motion to dismiss?
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What internal communications about AI safety might emerge during discovery?
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Will any of the unidentified "John Doe" defendants be publicly named?
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Could this case lead to new regulations or legislation around AI safety?
WHO’S INVOLVED AND WHY IT MATTERS
ADAM RAINE – VICTIM – 16-year-old boy who died by suicide in April 2025.
MATTHEW & MARIA RAINE – PARENTS – Plaintiffs in the lawsuit, alleging wrongful death and product liability.
SAM ALTMAN – DEFENDANT – CEO of OpenAI, named individually in the lawsuit.
JAY EDELSON – PLAINTIFFS’ ATTORNEY – Representing the Raine family, known for litigation involving tech accountability.
OPENAI INC., OPENAI OPCO LLC, OPENAI HOLDINGS LLC – DEFENDANTS – Corporate entities responsible for developing and deploying ChatGPT.
UNNAMED EMPLOYEES & INVESTORS – DEFENDANTS – Identified as "John Does" in the complaint, allegedly involved in key decisions.