Authorities are yet to determine whether a school altercation may have played a role in the tragic death of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old transgender student whose passing has garnered widespread international attention.
Owasso police, in a statement released last week, disclosed that initial findings from the medical examiner’s office suggested Benedict’s demise was not due to trauma. However, the police department emphasized that conclusive remarks on the cause of Benedict’s death would await the results of toxicology tests.
Interpretations of the police statement varied among community members and on social media platforms, with some assuming it ruled out any connection between injuries sustained in the altercation and Benedict’s death.
Lieutenant Nick Boatman, a police spokesperson, clarified to NBC News that the term “trauma,” as used by the medical examiner’s office, did not imply a dismissal of the possibility that the fight could have contributed to Benedict’s demise. Boatman urged against making assumptions in either direction regarding the incident’s role in the tragedy.
Police State Fight Remains Possible Factor in Nex Benedict’s Death (Credits: NBC News)
Boatman explained that the police department, prompted by extensive public interest heightened by international media coverage, opted to release information earlier than usual to address widespread misinformation circulating on social media.
This included debunking false claims that Benedict had suffered severe injuries during the altercation and had been neglected medically. A vigil in memory of Nex Benedict was organized in Owasso, Okla., on Sunday, highlighting the community’s solidarity in the wake of the tragedy.
To counter misinformation regarding Benedict’s injuries, the police department promptly released video and audio recordings, including body camera footage of an interview with Benedict and his mother at the hospital, along with 911 calls made on the day of Benedict’s passing. Boatman noted that this material was shared with Benedict’s family through their legal representation before its public release.
Regarding the timeline for toxicology results, Boatman indicated that obtaining such lab findings could take several months. As of now, no charges have been filed, and no arrests have been made in connection with Benedict’s death.
Nex Benedict’s name has become emblematic within the LGBTQ community both locally in Oklahoma and across the nation. Advocates seek to draw attention to alleged bullying faced by Benedict in school and broader policies impacting queer and transgender students, factors believed by friends and supporters to have played a role in his tragic demise.
Sue Benedict, Nex’s mother, disclosed to The Independent that her child had faced bullying due to his gender identity. Friends corroborated this account, confirming that Nex identified as transgender and primarily used he/him pronouns at school, though also accepting they/them pronouns, as embraced by his family.
The narrative surrounding Benedict’s last moments paints a picture of the conflict, with body camera footage revealing his account of being accosted by three students on the day of the altercation.
Audio from a 911 call made by Benedict’s mother the following day detailed concerning symptoms, including shallow breathing and involuntary movements suggestive of abnormal brain activity, underscoring the urgency and gravity of the situation.
