Nex Benedict.Photo:Go Fund Me
Go Fund Me
The death of a nonbinary teenager from Owasso, Okla., following a physical altercation in a high school bathroom earlier this month was “not a result of trauma,” police announced, citing information from the medical examiner.
Meanwhile, the family of Nex Benedict believes their death stemmed from bullying.
Police said in astatementinitially shared on Tuesday that officers were called to a local hospital on Feb. 7 around 3:30 p.m. regarding a report of a student who had been involved in a physical altercation at Owasso High School earlier that day. The student, now confirmed to have been Nex, was pronounced dead at the hospital the next day.
“The Benedicts know all too well the devastating effects 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 adds, in part, per the outlet.
The family urged officials involved in the case to conduct a fair investigation. The family is also investigating the case themselves.
“Notwithstanding, the family is independently interviewing witnesses and collecting all available evidence,” the family said, per News on 6. “The Benedict Family calls on all school, local, state and national officials to join forces to determine why this happened, to hold those responsible to account and to ensure it never happens again.”
“The family graciously accepts and appreciates the outpouring of support, thoughts and prayers from across the nation for the loss of their child. In the coming weeks and months they request that their privacy be respected and that they be allowed to grieve and deal with their new reality—a life without Nex,” the family added.
Police previously said detectives were interviewing school staff and students regarding the incident and will turn over the investigation to the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether criminal charges should be filed.
In astatementshared on Tuesday, Owasso Public Schools gave background information on the incident following what they said has been an increase in “speculation and misinformation surrounding the case.”
“We understand that for many, additional questions remain, however these are the facts that we are able to communicate at this juncture,” school officials said. “We will continue to cooperate fully with the Owasso Police Department’s investigation.”
According to theirobituary, Nex loved watchingThe Walking Dead, drawing, reading, and playing Ark and Minecraft. They also loved “nature and caring for cats, particularly [their] cat, Zeus.”
In a Tuesday update on the GoFundMe page, Nex’s mother Sue Benedict apologized for having previously misgendered Nex in the fundraiser’s description.
“I lost my child, the headstone will have [the] correct name of their choice," the update reads. “The rest of [the] monies will go to other children dealing with the right to be who they feel they are, in Nex Benedict’s name. God bless.”
Nex’s death comes amid a climate of legislation, across the country and in Oklahoma, targeting transgender and nonbinary people. Abill was signed into state law last yearrequiring public school students to use bathrooms and changing rooms that matched their sex given at birth, particularly male or female, according to a statement from the Oklahoma Senate.
Local organizations Oklahomans for Equality and Trans Advocacy Coalition of Oklahoma shared the followingstatementon Facebook regarding Nex’s death.
“Our hearts are broken for the Oklahoma 2SLGBTQIA+ community and for the family, friends, and loved ones of Nex Benedict,” the statement read. “While we are still learning all of the facts surrounding the death of the 16-year-old Owasso student, we are certain that every student has the right to a safe learning environment, free from deadnaming, misgendering, outing, and violence, as well as appropriate medical care.”
A candlelight vigil is planned for Feb. 25 at 6:30 pm at Redbud Festival Park in Owasso to honor Nex, perOklahomans for Equality.
source: people.com
