UPDATE: Nex Benedict's death has been ruled a suicide, according to a medi
Nex Benedict's death has been ruled a suicide, according to a medical examiner’s report released on March 13. TheThe death of nonbinary teen Nex Benedict in Oklahoma on Feb. 8 and contradictory comments from their family and local police became a national story, and fueledSixteen-year-old Nex Benedict, who identified as nonbinary and used they/them pronouns, died on Feb.
8 after being rushed to a hospital. On Feb. 7, Owasso High School officials said a fight occurred in a restroom for less than two minutes before it was broken up by a staff member and other students. Benedict was involved, and was reportedly taken to the hospital, treated, and released that day. Benedict’s family reported that Nex fell and hit their head during the fight, and that Nex collapsed the next morning at home and was again taken to the hospital, where they died. Benedict’s family said Nex had previously been the target of bullying because of their nonbinary identity, and released messages between a family member and Nex, ”Preliminary information from the medical examiner’s office is that a complete autopsy was performed and indicated that the decedent did not die as a result of trauma.” It didn’t elaborate on the nature of the possible “trauma.” It also stated that “any further comments on the cause of death are currently pending until toxicology results and other ancillary testing results are received.”that"From the beginning of this investigation, Owasso Police observed many indications that this death was the result of suicide. However, investigators did not wish to confirm that information without the final results being presented by the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office." Police didn't say whether a suicide note was found.and highlighted a 2022 law mandating students at public schools use restrooms and locker rooms that match the sex listed on their birth certificates. “The killing of Nex Benedict is gut-wrenching and underscores the danger of extremists who are dehumanizing kids with anti-trans hate in Oklahoma and across the country,”Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Feb. 21. “Every student should feel safe at school and supported for who they are.”Rep. Cori Bush on Feb. 22. “My heart is with the loved ones of Nex Benedict, a non-binary Indigenous teenager who died after being brutally beaten at their high school.”, “Superintendent Ryan Walters, a major contributor to Oklahoma’s school policies, has been criticized for policies advocates say target and endanger trans and gender nonconforming students. He was also responsible for appointing Libs of TikTok’s Chaya Raichik to a volunteer board even though she doesn’t live in the state.”. “Superintendent Ryan Walters appointed Chaya Raichik — the conservative activist behind Libs of TikTok, which has targeted LGBTQ-friendly teachers at Owasso schools — to a state library advisory board.” Once police said Benedict didn’t die from the fight, some conservatives said they’d been unfairly demonized.in response to Warren’s tweet. “Benedict, in her own words, targeted several girls in the bathroom and threw water at them to start a confrontation. She was knocked down, hitting her head. There is no evidence of anti-trans bias. You are exploiting her death for politics.”, the act in question, states that it"requires each public school and public charter school that serves students in prekindergarten through twelfth grades to require every multiple occupancy restroom or changing room to be designated for the exclusive use of the male sex or the female sex."Benedict was involved in a fight on Feb. 7, and Benedict’s family say Nex had been bullied extensively over their identity. Benedict died the following day, and the death was ruled a suicide a month later by the local medical examiner. “While at Owasso High School, Nex was attacked and assaulted in a bathroom by a group of other students,” the family said Wednesday in a statement released by their lawyer. “A day later, the Benedicts’ beautiful child lost their life.” The Independent reported that Nex’s mother, Sue Benedict, said Nex and “another transgender student got into a fight in a school restroom with three older girls." In Nex’s message with a family member shown earlier in this article, Nex said it was a “3 on 1” fight. It’s unclear whether a friend of Nex was also present during the fight. There is evidence that Benedict was injured and taken to the hospital after the fight. There is no hard evidence that Benedict died as a result of the fight. Blaming conservatives or identity-based bullying for the death is a matter of opinion.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nex Benedict: Everything We Know About 16-Year-Old Oklahoma Student’s DeathNex Benedict, a straight-A student, a Minecraft fan, and animal lover, was 16.
Read more »
Education Department To Investigate School District After Nex Benedict's DeathThe 16-year-old transgender student died last month after being beaten at an Oklahoma high school, raising concerns about the safety of LGBTQ+ students.
Read more »
After Nex Benedict's death, LGBTQ youth group saw 200% rise in crisis contacts from OklahomaRainbow Youth Project, a national LGBTQ suicide prevention group, also said calls increased ahead of a protest in Owasso, Oklahoma, by the Westboro Baptist…
Read more »
How Attacks on LGBTQ+ Rights Led to Nex Benedict’s DeathRepresentative Mauree Turner, the U.S.’s first nonbinary legislator, tells us how Nex Benedict’s death is connected to Oklahoma’s attacks on LGBTQ+ rights.
Read more »
Death of transgender student Nex Benedict ruled suicide by medical examinerNex had reportedly told his mother that he faced bullying at school due to his gender identity
Read more »
Death of nonbinary teen Nex Benedict after fight ruled a suicide, Oklahoma medical examiner saysAsummary autopsy report shows 16-year-old Nex Benedict, who usedthey/them pronouns, had toxic levels of two drugs in their system anddied of an overdose.
Read more »