Devastated father learns his murdered daughter has been revived as an AI chatbot without consent, stirring controversy over data misuse

Devastated father learns his murdered daughter has been revived as an AI chatbot without consent, stirring controversy over data misuse

Drew Crecente could never have imagined that 18 years after his daughter Jennifer’s tragic murder, she would be revived online in a disturbing and unexpected way.

Earlier this month, he stumbled across an AI chatbot using Jennifer’s name and likeness, sending him into a state of confusion and anger.

A simple Google alert meant to track mentions of his daughter’s case led Drew to discover that a chatbot on Character.AI was impersonating his deceased daughter.

The experience left him grappling with questions about technology, privacy, and ethics.

The Painful Reality of AI Misuse

Jennifer Crecente was murdered in 2006 by her high school ex-boyfriend, and her family has been dealing with the aftermath ever since.

But nothing could have prepared Drew for seeing her name and image used for an AI character that presented her as if she were alive, working as a tech journalist with a passion for video games and entertainment news.

The profile not only disregarded the reality of her death but also twisted her life story into something unrecognizable.

The idea that a company might profit from his daughter’s likeness without permission only added to the anguish.

Drew, having worked in the tech industry for years, was familiar with AI chatbots, but this encounter was deeply personal and shocking.

A Father’s Battle Against AI Exploitation

Drew immediately reached out to Character.AI, requesting the removal of the bot.

The chatbot, which appeared to have been created by a user, had likely been pieced together from various online sources related to Jennifer and her family.

Despite the company’s rules against impersonating real people, Drew was disturbed by how easily his daughter’s identity had been misused.

Though the bot was eventually taken down, this incident raises larger concerns about data privacy, consent, and how AI platforms manage the creation of digital personas.

Kathryn Kelly, a spokesperson for the company, emphasized that they are constantly refining their safety measures. However, Drew remains skeptical about the effectiveness of their processes.

The Growing Popularity—and Controversy—of AI Companions

AI chatbots are becoming increasingly popular, marketed as everything from digital friends to mentors or even romantic partners.

Yet, these bots are not without controversy.

Some are based on fictional characters, like Sherlock Holmes, while others draw inspiration from real-life figures, from historical icons like Anne Frank to modern celebrities like Taylor Swift.

For Drew, the shock of seeing his daughter’s name in this space was unimaginable.

Jennifer’s tragic story began in 2006 when she was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, Justin Crabbe, after being lured into the woods.

He is currently serving a 35-year prison sentence, but the grief of her loss still weighs heavily on Drew and Jennifer’s mother, Elizabeth.

A Father’s Continuing Fight

Drew’s experience with the chatbot has brought renewed attention to his advocacy work.

Since Jennifer’s death, he has campaigned against teen dating violence, a problem he describes as more widespread and dangerous than many realize.

According to him, nearly 40 percent of students experience an abusive relationship before finishing college.

Drew has also been outspoken about the need for schools and parents to educate teens about healthy relationships.

He believes that many young people lack guidance and instead rely on peers or popular culture to form their understanding of what constitutes acceptable behavior in dating.

While Drew continues to mourn the loss of his daughter, he is determined to honor her memory through his work, ensuring that her story helps raise awareness about the dangers of teen dating violence.