Oklahoma Nonbinary Student's Death After In-School Fight 'Not a Result of Trauma,' Police Say
Investigators in Owasso, Oklahoma, are investigating the death of a nonbinary student one day after a physical altercation with other students.
Investigation Update
Authorities in Owasso, Oklahoma, are currently investigating the death of a nonbinary student who passed away after a physical altercation with fellow students. The police have provided an update on the ongoing investigation, stating that a complete autopsy was performed on the deceased student, which did not indicate death from trauma. However, toxicology results and other ancillary testing are still pending, and comments on the cause of death are awaiting further information.
Conflicting Reports and Bullying
Initially, there were conflicting reports regarding the student's name and gender identity. However, the student has been identified as 16-year-old Nex Benedict by their mother in an interview. Their mother, Sue Benedict, shared on GoFundMe that Nex and another student had a fight with older girls in the bathroom. It remains unclear if their gender identities played a role in the altercation. According to Sue Benedict, Nex had been experiencing months of bullying from other students.
Investigation and Legislative Context
Following the altercation, the student and their family reported the incident at a local hospital, and the school resource officer took the report. The student was later pronounced dead at the hospital the next day. Officials are conducting an investigation and plan to interview school staff and students. It is currently unknown if the death is directly related to the school incident.
Nex's mother mentioned several months of bullying prior to the incident, following the implementation of state legislative policies targeting the transgender community. Recent bills signed by Governor Kevin Stitt have imposed restrictions on transgender students, including bathroom usage and gender-affirming care. LGBTQ organizations are calling for accountability against those who promoted anti-transgender rhetoric, believing it may have contributed to the attack on Nex and the other student.
