An Oklahoma high school student's death the day after a fight in a school restroom has been determined to be a suicide, according to the state medical examiner's office.
An autopsy report summarizing the findings was made public over a month following the passing of 16-year-old Nex Benedict, a student at Owasso High School.
Oklahoma ME Rules Nex Benedict's Death Suicide
According to family members, Nex Benedict was a victim of bullying at school. His passing in February raised alarm among LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, and garnered responses from Oklahoma's governor and the White House.
During a 911 call on February 8, Sue Benedict, the teenager's grandmother and legal guardian, expressed worry about a head injury. The teenager remained conscious and alert when reporting the incident to the police, which occurred after the teen squirted three girls with water during a fight the day before, as shown in police video released last month.
According to the report, Nex Benedict had elevated levels of two substances in their system, leading to his death from an overdose. The medical examiner's office will release a full autopsy report in 10 days as required by state law.
The Boatman did not confirm if the police discovered a note from Nex Benedict at the location. An attorney representing the Benedict family, Jacob Biby, informed The Associated Press that he was in the process of preparing a statement from the family on Wednesday but chose not to provide additional comments.
In video footage from the hospital the day of the incident, Nex Benedict describes to an officer that the girls had been teasing them and their friends due to their clothing choices. Nex Benedict stated that students in the bathroom made comments about their laughter, questioning why they laughed in that manner.
Last month, authorities stated that a preliminary autopsy report indicated Benedict did not die from trauma related to the fight, while the school district and community came under intense scrutiny for their handling of the case.
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Nex Benedict Bullying Incident
Protests erupted over the bullying of Benedict, leading to an investigation by the US Education Department into Owasso Public School following complaints by the Human Rights Campaign. The organization alleged that district officials did not handle the sex-based harassment properly, which may have played a role in the tragic death of Nex Benedict.
Benedict was fully aware and provided details to the authorities about the incident following the fight. As per a police video released last month, the teenager mentioned that they squirted water at the three girls before the trio began beating them.
Benedict informed an officer that the girls had been teasing them and their friends due to their clothing choices. Benedict also stated that the girls made comments about their laughter.
"I went up there and poured water on them, and then all three of them came at me," Benedict explained from their hospital bed. The following day, Benedict's mother contacted authorities for assistance when her child was experiencing shallow breathing, eyes rolled back, and curled hands, as per the released audio.
The complete autopsy findings will be made public in 10 days, as required by state regulations.
If you are facing suicidal thoughts, reach out to the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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