The remains of Charlotte Leader, 23, were found over a year after her death. Her final interactions with ChatGPT and mental health struggles were revealed during the inquest. Read more about her heartbreaking story.
Charlotte Leader, a 23-year-old from Bolton, Greater Manchester, was tragically found dead in her bed over a year after her passing. Her remains were discovered on August 5, 2025, when police performed a welfare check after her family and neighbors lost contact with her.
The inquest into Charlotte’s death revealed a series of heartbreaking details about her life in the months leading up to her passing, including her isolation, mental health struggles, and her final interactions with OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
The Discovery: A Year After Her Passing
Charlotte’s mother, Chantay Simm, revealed that she hadn’t heard from her daughter since September 2021. Despite their efforts to reach out, Charlotte had distanced herself from her family, making it impossible to track her down. Neighbors reported that they hadn’t seen her leave her flat, and it was only when police arrived to perform a welfare check that her remains were found under her duvet.
Pathologist Dr. Andrew Coates noted that Charlotte’s body was in a “mummified” state, making it difficult to examine. The coroner suggested her estimated time of death was based on her last conversation with ChatGPT, dated July 30, 2024.
Mental Health Struggles and Isolation
The inquest revealed that Charlotte had a long history of mental health issues, including eating disorders and bulimia. She had disengaged from mental health services in 2022 and had refused an appointment, further isolating herself from support.
Assistant Coroner Stephen Teasdale shared that Charlotte’s mental health had deteriorated over time, leading her to push away family and professionals. Despite this, there were no signs of illicit drug use in her apartment, and her personal diaries didn’t suggest drug problems either.
Her sister, Caroline Calow, told the court that Charlotte had struggled with her eating disorder from a young age, and despite her mental health battles, Charlotte’s flat appeared clean and well-cared-for. It was clear that she still maintained some level of self-care.
The Final Conversations: ChatGPT as Her Only Contact
The inquest revealed that the only conversations Charlotte had in the months leading up to her death were with ChatGPT. Her last message on July 30, 2024, read: “Help me, I’ve went and got food again.” ChatGPT responded, “You sound conflicted about having food,” and Charlotte replied, “It’s food that I didn’t want and that’s frustrating.”
Detective Inspector Paul Quinn stated that there were no other messages or conversations, indicating that Charlotte’s only social interaction during this time was with the AI bot.
Unanswered Questions: An Open Verdict
Despite the disturbing details of Charlotte’s final days, the coroner concluded the inquest with an open verdict, stating that there was insufficient evidence to determine the exact cause of death. Dr. Coates suggested that the state of decomposition over the year was not unreasonable, given that Charlotte’s body was under the duvet for an extended period.
Charlotte’s family expressed their grief, remembering her as a “very beautiful and talented young woman.” They spoke about her love for playing the guitar and keyboard, as well as her passion for art, and said she was “loved tremendously by the family” and would be “missed every day.”
Support for Mental Health and Eating Disorders
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or eating disorders, there are resources available to help. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) offers support through their free hotline at 1-888-375-7767. For immediate help, contact Mental Health America by calling or texting 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center, or visit 988lifeline.org.
