Oklahoma nonbinary Nex Benedict died by suicide from a drug overdose and not from injuries sustained during a school fight, a medical examiner has confirmed.
According to the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s report, Benedict’s death was caused by a combined overdose of diphenhydramine and fluoxetine. News on 6.
Nex, 16, born Dagny, died on February 8, just a day after suffering head trauma during a toilet fight at Owasso High School, Oklahoma.
Their deaths became a rallying point for trans and LGBT activists across the country – and several vigils and walkouts were organized to remember the student.
Nex’s biological grandmother and legal guardian, Sue Benedict, told The Independent that her child had been repeatedly bullied by various students for more than a year because of their non-binary identity.
Oklahoma nonbinary Nex Benedict reportedly died by suicide from a drug overdose, not from injuries sustained in a school fight, the medical examiner says
According to the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s report, Benedict’s death was caused by a combined overdose of diphenhydramine and fluoxetine the day after they were hospitalized following a fight.
‘Nex was attacked and abused in a bathroom by a group of other students. A day later, Benedict’s beautiful child lost his life,” the family said in a statement.
The police department released a statement Wednesday: “From the beginning of this investigation, the Owasso Police Department observed many indications that this death was the result of suicide.
However, researchers would not confirm that information without final results presented by the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office.
“The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s report has now been made public.
“Owasso Police would like to take this moment to inform anyone in crisis or considering suicide about the Oklahoma Mental Health Lifeline, simply call or text 988.”
Bodycam footage was previously released following Nex’s report to police detailing the attack by ‘bullies’ in a school toilet the day before they died.
The 21-minute interview, conducted at Owasso Hospital just two hours after the Feb. 7 fight, detailed the events leading up to the altercation before Nex was fired.
Officer Caleb Thompson spoke with the 16-year-old, accompanied by their mother, Sue.
“So what happened today?” Officer Thompson asked.
“I jumped,” Nex replied, before Sue intervened and told the officer about Nex’s complaints of persistent bullying.
“(Nex) said mom, these three girls over there, they’re making comments, they’re calling us names, they’re throwing things at us,” she said.
Bodycam footage revealed account Nex gave to police detailing attack by ‘bullies’ in a school toilet the day before they died
Their deaths became a rallying point for trans and LGBT activists across the country – and several vigils were organized to remember the student
People sing during a vigil for the death of Nex Benedict outside the Stonewall Inn in New York
“(Nex) did it, until (they) couldn’t do it anymore, in the bathroom,” Sue told the officer.
Nex then described the provocation, recalling how the girls ridiculed them before Nex poured water on them.
“They said something like ‘why are they laughing so much,’ and they were talking about us, in front of us,” Nex told Thompson. “So I went up and poured water on them, and all three of them came towards me.”
Officer Thompson appeared to dissuade Nex and their mother from filing charges, warning them of possible legal consequences for both parties involved.
He questioned Nex about their decision not to report the girls’ actions to school officials, to which Nex replied, “I didn’t see the point in it.” I told my mother.’
“You have freedom of speech,” the officer said. ‘The moment you threw water on it, you made the first shot. Maybe things aren’t going the way you want.’
“Silencing is unfortunately freedom of expression,” the officer added. “You can say mean, hurtful things all day long and you have to let it roll off your shoulder.”
Sue asked, “What about it, because there were three of them, and (Nex) only threw water on one.”
Thompson argued that regardless of the girl’s actions, Nex started the fight, causing a “domino effect” of events. He claimed both Nex and the girls as “victims” and “suspects.”
Officer Thompson appeared to dissuade Nex and their mother from filing charges and warned them of possible legal consequences for both parties involved.
People gather outside the Stonewall Inn for a memorial and vigil for the Oklahoma teen who died after a fight in a high school bathroom
A walkout for Nex Benedict at Owasso High School on Monday, February 26
Sue expressed dissatisfaction with the way the school handled the situation and urged Thompson to inquire about the delay in alerting authorities.
“They dropped the ball without notifying me right away,” Thompson said.
Sue said, “Those girls started everything from scratch.”
Nex described in text to their family what happened before they were taken to the hospital before they died.
‘I was jumped at school. 3 on 1, had to go to the ER,” Nex wrote, adding, “They had been bullying me and my friends and I got tired of it so I poured some water on them and all three of them came after me. The school did not report the incident to the police.’
Officers investigating Nex’s death said they were called to the hospital by the teen’s family around 3 p.m. on Feb. 7, but the school did not call 911.
Nex was asked by the family member if he was okay and the teen responded that they were “all good” and had some scrapes and bruises. They also added, “If I feel dizzy or nauseous in the morning, I may be having a concussion.”
Sue said she was aware that Nex, who saw herself as neither male nor female, was being bullied for being gender fluid, but she “didn’t know how bad it had gotten”.
‘I was so proud of Nex. They went somewhere, they were so free,” she said.
