Nex Benedict’s family: We pray for ‘change’ after nonbinary teen’s death

(NewsNation) — Nonbinary high school student Nex Benedict died a day after they were involved in a fight at school. Now, investigators say preliminary autopsy data reveals the Oklahoma 16-year-old did not die as a result of trauma from the altercation.

However, the full autopsy report has yet to be released.

A statement posted by Benedict’s family says they still have many questions.

“While various investigations are still pending, the facts currently known by the family, some of which have been released to the public, are troubling at best,” the statement said. “We urge those tasked with investigating and prosecuting potentially liable parties to do so fully, fairly and expediently.”

An investigation into Benedict’s death remains ongoing and police are working on laying out a timeline of events.

The statement said family members are also independently interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence as well.

Police have not offered any other information as to what may have contributed to Benedict’s death as of Thursday afternoon.

The Owasso Police Department said on Facebook officers were called to a local hospital on the afternoon of Feb. 7 for a report of a student involved in a “physical altercation” at Owasso High School. On Feb. 8, police were told Benedict, who used they/them pronouns, was taken back to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

Benedict’s mother told the Independent they started being bullied only a few months after Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill requiring public school students to use bathrooms matching the sex listed on their birth certificates.

While Sue Benedict told Nex Benedict to “be strong and look the other way,” she told the publication that she “didn’t know how bad” the torment had gotten.

When she was called to the school the day before Nex died, Sue Benedict saw Nex had been badly beaten with bruises over their face and eyes, as well as scratches to the back of their head.

Nex Benedict, the Independent wrote, told Sue that they and another transgender student had been in a fight with three older girls in the girls’ bathroom. During this encounter, Sue Benedict said, Nex was knocked to the ground and hit their head on the floor.

According to the school district, the students were in the bathroom for less than two minutes before the fight was broken up. All the students escorted themselves to the nurse’s office.

Police said on social media the students were given a health assessment by a nurse at the school, and it was determined that “ambulance service was not required.” The nurse did recommend Nex Benedict visit a medical facility, though.

Before being discharged, Nex and Sue Benedict spoke to a school resource officer. That night, Nex Benedict went to bed with a sore head and fell asleep. The next day, Nex Benedict was getting ready to go to an appointment when they collapsed in the family living room.

EMT officers came to the residence to find Nex Benedict had stopped breathing. They were declared dead that evening in the hospital, the Independent reported.

Sue Benedict said she was furious the school had not called an ambulance or the police. The school, Sue Benedict said, also informed her Nex was suspended for two weeks.

The school district released a lengthy response online saying it is limited in what it can say due to the ongoing investigation and cannot reveal the disciplinary action taken among students, per privacy laws.

“The loss of a student, a member of the Ram family and the Owasso community is devastating. We recognize the impact that this event has had on the entire school community and it is our priority to foster an environment where everyone feels heard, supported and safe,” Oswasso Public Schools said in a statement.

The investigation has prompted members of the Biden administration to speak out.

“Every young person deserves to feel safe and supported at school. Our hearts are with Nex Benedict’s family, their friends and their entire school community in the wake of this horrific tragedy,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wrote on social media.

Nex Benedict’s death comes at a time when advocacy groups say lawmakers are trying to propose and pass laws making Oklahoma unwelcoming to the LGBTQIA+ community.

“The family graciously accepts and appreciates the outpouring of support, thoughts and prayers from across the nation for the loss of their child,” the statement said.

In the coming weeks and months, the statement said, family and friends “request that their privacy be respected and that they be allowed to grieve and deal with their new reality — a life without Nex.” Family members also asked for all “threats, or acts, of violence” against Owasso Public Schools staff students to stop.

“The Benedicts know all too well the devastating effect of bullying and school violence, and pray for meaningful change wherein bullying is taken seriously and no family has to deal with another preventable tragedy,” the statement said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.