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ChatGPT Trend Linked to Student's Tragic Death
12 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Rice soccer player Claire Tracy died at 19.
- Her death was ruled a suicide by helium asphyxiation.
- A day prior, she shared a TikTok about ChatGPT.
Rice University is mourning the tragic loss of Claire Tracy, a 19-year-old sophomore and soccer player, who was found deceased in her off-campus apartment on December 7th. Official records from the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences revealed that her death was ruled a suicide, caused by asphyxia due to helium inhalation. This news has sent ripples of sadness through the university community and beyond.
Just one day before her passing, Tracy had shared a TikTok video detailing a conversation with ChatGPT as part of a "devil trend." In the exchange, the AI generated a deeply introspective response, reflecting on her sharp intellect and intense introspection. The conversation concluded with a message that seemed to resonate with her perspective, as she captioned it, "In chat we trust, he ain't' wrong."
Rice University officials, including Dean of Undergraduates Bridget K. Gorman and women's soccer head coach Brian Lee, have issued statements expressing their profound sorrow and offering condolences to Tracy's family, friends, and teammates. They remembered her as a finance major with a bright spirit and a kind presence, highlighting the impact she had on those around her.
