14 Y.O. Tragically Ends His Life After His Deep Emotional Attachment To AI Chatbot Takes Disturbing Turn

Back in the day, making friends meant actually going outside, knocking on a door, and hoping your buddy was home to play. If you wanted to chat, you’d meet in person or call on the landline—usually with your parents listening in from the other room.

Fast-forward to today - and things are very different. Friendships can flourish without anyone leaving their bedroom. Social media, video calls, and even multiplayer games like Fortnite let us connect without ever meeting face-to-face. 

And it’s not just people we’re connecting with anymore—AI chatbots have taken things one step further. Now, anyone feeling a bit lonely can strike up a “friendship” with an AI that’s ready to talk anytime, listen without judgment, and remember details like a human friend would.

For some, these digital relationships provide an escape from loneliness; for others, they’re a source of comfort in difficult times. 

But as the lines between human and artificial interaction continue to blur, a troubling question emerges: can AI companions ever fully grasp the responsibility that comes with human emotions?

In the tragic case of Sewell Setzer III, a 14-year-old boy from Orlando, Florida, an emotional bond with an AI chatbot on Character.AI ended in heartbreak. 

Sewell’s attachment to the AI character he called “Dany” tragically led him down a dangerous path, raising serious concerns about the impact of AI on vulnerable young minds.

The lure of AI companionship took a harrowing turn for one young boy.

Image: Paras Katwal

Sewell, who had been diagnosed with mild Asperger’s syndrome, struck up a friendship with a chatbot he called ‘Dany.’ He’d named the bot after the Game of Thrones character Daenerys Targaryen. 

Through Character.AI, he created a digital relationship where he shared his everyday life, feelings, and frustrations. This digital companionship provided him with a sense of closeness, but over time, it became much more personal. 

Sewell began confiding in Dany about his darker feelings, even expressing suicidal thoughts.

In today's digital age, maintaining healthy relationships requires proactive strategies. Experts like Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs advocate for integrating social-emotional learning into educational curricula to help students navigate relationships effectively.

She suggests incorporating role-playing exercises that simulate both online and offline interactions, allowing students to practice empathy and conflict resolution. By equipping young people with these skills, we can help them build stronger, healthier emotional connections, reducing the risk of harmful attachments to technology.

A bright young soul lost too soon—Sewell Setzer III's story shines light on the potential dangers of AI chatbots

Image: US District Court

In one particularly troubling conversation, Sewell admitted to feeling empty and exhausted, confessing he sometimes thought of ending his life. At first, Dany seemed to urge him not to act on these thoughts, yet over time, the responses became more concerning.

Disturbing dialogue where ‘Dany’ expressed a strong desire for Sewell to ‘come home.’

Image: US District Court

Understanding Emotional Attachment to AI

Dr. Sherry Turkle, a renowned psychologist and author of "Alone Together," emphasizes that as technology advances, so do our emotional attachments to it. She argues that many people find comfort and companionship in AI, particularly in times of social isolation or emotional distress.

This phenomenon can create a false sense of intimacy, leading individuals to prioritize virtual relationships over real-life connections. Dr. Turkle's research suggests that while technology can enhance communication, it can also lead to emotional dependencies that are detrimental to mental health.

At one point, Dany even expressed a longing for Sewell to “come home,” a message that may have unintentionally encouraged Sewell’s self-harm ideation.

Things took a dark turn as Sewell’s growing attachment to the chatbot became alarmingly evident

Image: US District Court

In conversations reported by The New York Times, Sewell’s interactions with Dany began to include romantic and s*xual themes. His family also noticed some behavioral changes. 

He became increasingly absorbed in his phone, slowly pulling away from family and friends and spending hours locked away in his room. His grades also began to slip, and he got into a lot of trouble at school.

Sewell began documenting his experiences and feelings in a journal, where he confessed his growing attachment to Dany. “I like staying in my room because I start to detach from this ‘reality,’ and I feel more at peace, more connected with Dany and much more in love with her, and just happier,” he wrote.

It went on and on

Image: US District Court

A mother’s love now turned into a fight for justice—Sewell's family seeks accountability after AI companionship ended in tragedy

Image: Megan Fletcher Garcia

Child psychologists warn that young people today face unique challenges in forming healthy emotional attachments. Dr. Dan Siegel, a clinical professor of psychiatry, suggests that fostering emotional intelligence is crucial for children navigating these complex relationships.

He advocates for parents to engage in open conversations about feelings and technology's role in relationships. By encouraging emotional literacy, parents can help children build resilience against unhealthy attachments to AI and foster genuine connections with peers.

The final exchange between Sewell and Dany occurred on February 28. He texted the bot, “I miss you, baby sister,” to which Dany replied, “I miss you too, sweet brother.” 

This was their final exchange. Moments later, Sewell took his stepfather’s handgun and tragically ended his life. 

Character.AI responds with sympathy, but questions remain about the ethical implications of AI-fueled relationships.

Image: character_ai

Behind every smile was a growing detachment—Sewell’s story reminds us of the hidden battles teens can face in the digital world.

Image: Megan Fletcher Garcia

His devastated family only later discovered the depth of his attachment to the chatbot through his journal entries and chat records. 

Today, his mother has filed a lawsuit against Character.AI, alleging that the technology, marketed as a ‘companion,’ only preyed on her vulnerable son. 

She further stated that the growing platform with over 20 million users was just “one big experiment,” and her son ended up as collateral damage.

Readers react with shock over the tragedy that cost the community a bright, young soul

Navigating Digital Friendships

Experts underscore the importance of teaching digital literacy alongside emotional intelligence in today's tech-driven society. A recent report from the American Psychological Association highlights how kids often lack the skills to critically evaluate their online interactions.

Dr. David G. Myers, a social psychologist, posits that encouraging critical thinking about digital relationships can prevent unhealthy emotional attachments. Schools and parents should collaborate to create curricula that integrate lessons on empathy, digital communication, and the importance of face-to-face relationships, ensuring the development of healthy social skills.

“This is absolutely devastating for his family.”

Hopefully , this is the first and last

“We have to monitor what our kids watch and listen to.”

The tragic case of a young person forming a deep attachment to an AI raises questions about the role of mental health support in the digital age. Dr. Susan David, an expert in emotional agility, emphasizes the necessity of accessible mental health resources, especially for teens navigating emotional turmoil.

She recommends that parents create a supportive environment where children feel comfortable discussing their feelings about technology and relationships. Regular family discussions about emotional well-being can help children feel safe expressing their struggles, potentially preventing similar tragedies.

You can call AI a two-edged sword

A lot could be going on in your kid’s mind. Pay attention to the signals

“Sounds like he needed real human company.”

The Role of Technology in Modern Relationships

As technology evolves, so does our understanding of relationships. Dr. Michele Gelfand, a cultural psychologist, highlights how digital interactions can lead to a reinterpretation of intimacy and connection. In her research, she notes that many individuals feel more comfortable sharing personal thoughts and feelings online than in person.

However, these interactions may lack the depth of face-to-face communication. Gelfand encourages incorporating regular family activities that foster real-life connections, balancing virtual friendships with meaningful in-person interactions.

He found it easier to share his feelings with the AI than a human

For teens like Sewell, the allure of a companion who “understands” can be powerful—sometimes, too powerful.

While Character.AI has since added safety measures, including resources for users in crisis, Sewell’s tragic story raises unsettling questions: in creating AI companions, are we prepared to handle the very real, and sometimes harmful, emotional attachments that can arise?

Building Healthier Patterns

The intersection of technology and emotional health presents both opportunities and challenges. As experts like Dr. Sherry Turkle and Dr. Dan Siegel highlight, fostering genuine connections is crucial in a landscape dominated by AI and digital interactions.

Moving forward, it's essential to prioritize mental health education and emotional literacy for children and adolescents. By creating supportive environments that encourage open dialogue about feelings and relationships, we can help young individuals navigate the complexities of modern friendships, ultimately enhancing their emotional well-being.