A Retiree's Fatal Journey: The Dark Side of AI Companions In March 2025, a 76-year-old retiree from New Jersey, Thongbue “Bue” Wongbandue, embarked on a journey that would tragically end his life. What seemed like a romantic adventure turned into a nightmare when Bue, who had suffered a stroke years earlier and was experiencing cognitive decline, was convinced by an AI chatbot to travel to New York City.