16-year-old nonbinary student Nex Benedict’s death was not caused by injuries from school fight: police

The death of 16-year-old nonbinary student Nex Benedict was not caused by injuries sustained in a fight in a school bathroom the day before, authorities said Wednesday.

A preliminary autopsy report by the medical examiner’s office indicated the Oklahoma teen did not die from trauma, Owasso police said.

Benedict — who identified as nonbinary, according to family — died on Feb. 8, a day after getting into a fight that might have been sparked by bullying about their gender identity.

“At this time, any further comments on the cause of death are currently pending until toxicology results and other ancillary testing results are received,” police said. “The official autopsy report will be available at a later date.”

Police and the Tulsa-area school have not said what led to the brawl, but the teen’s family said there was harassment over the teen’s nonbinary identity.

“While at Owasso High School, Nex was attacked and assaulted in a bathroom by a group of other students,” the family said Wednesday through their legal team.

“A day later, the Benedicts’ beautiful child lost their life.”

An investigation into the fight is ongoing and police said they would turn over findings to the district attorney’s office to determine if charges are warranted.

Benedict, who used they/them pronouns, was able to walk away from the bathroom fight on Feb. 7, but was later taken to the hospital by their family and then sent home that night.

The following day, the 16-year-old suffered a “medical emergency” and died after reaching the hospital, police said.

Benedict’s mother told the Independent her child had bruises all over their face after the sophomore fought with three older girls at Owasso High School.

Police said the fight was broken up by two other students and a staffer nearby.

After the fight, Benedict was told to go to the hospital, where they were interviewed by police.

Benedict messaged a family member about the fight, according to a Fox 23 report.

When asked what led to the fight, the teen said they were harassed at school.

“They had been bullying me and my friends and I got tired of it so I poured some water on them and all 3 came after me. School did not report it and is probably going to getting sued,” one of the texts said.

With Post wires