November 2025 - Magazine - Page 56
Mi n i str i es
OUT of TIME
ChatGPT image snares suspect in deadly
Pacific Palisades fire
A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of starting the Pacific Palisades fire in
Los Angeles that killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January. Evidence collected from Jonathan Rinderknecht's digital devices included an image he generated on ChatGPT depicting a burning city, justice department officials said.
One of the most destructive blazes in LA history, the fire erupted on 7 January near a hiking
trail that overlooked the wealthy coastal neighbourhood. The Eaton Fire, ignited the same
day in the LA area, killed another 19 people and razed 9,400 structures. The cause of that
fire remains unclear.
Mr. Rinderknecht was arrested in Florida on Tuesday and has been charged with destruction of property by means of fire, Acting US Attorney Bill Essayli told a news conference on
Wednesday in Los Angeles.
"The arrest, we hope, will offer a measure of justice to all those impacted," Mr Essayli said.
Officials said further charges - including murder - could follow.
Mr. Rinderknecht appeared in court in Florida on Wednesday. He did not enter a plea. He
is scheduled to return to the US District Court in Orlando on Thursday for a bond hearing. He
is not expected to enter an official plea until his arraignment hearing in Los Angeles in the
coming weeks.
Ana Faguy and Nardine Saad
