The tragic death of trans teen Nex Benedict: everything you need to know

Nex Benedict, a transgender Oklahoma high school student, died under mysterious circumstances following an assault from several older girls at school the day prior. While the local police department has ruled that the death was not caused by trauma, LGBTQ+ advocates have been frustrated by the lack of transparency in the case, with the Human Rights Campaign going so far as to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Benedict’s death and subsequent school and police response have sparked nationwide conversations about the bullying of transgender, nonbinary, and other gender-expansive teens in schools.

Here’s everything you need to know about the heartbreaking death of high school student Nex Benedict. And if you're interested in helping and supporting trans youth in Oklahoma, here are some helpful resources.

Who was Nex Benedict?

Nex Benedict was a 16-year-old trans sophomore of Choctaw heritage who attended Owasso High School in Oklahoma and lived within the Cherokee Nation’s jurisdiction.

How did Benedict die?

Benedict died on February 8, a day after having a physical altercation with three older girls inside a restroom at Owasso High School after complaining about bullying for months leading up to his tragic death.

According to messages from Benedict shared with Tulsa Fox affiliate KOKI by the family, he was “jumped at school” on February 7 by several students and was concerned about the possibility of a concussion. “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,” the message said, also revealing that the “school did not report to the police.”

In body-camera video footage from an Owasso Police Department school resource officer, Benedict explained that he was physically assaulted at school after being bullied for an extended period of time because of the way he and his transgender friend were dressed.

Benedict passed away after being transported to the hospital the next day following a medical emergency at home.

What are the police saying?

According to the Owasso Police Department, the autopsy found that Benedict's death was unrelated to any injuries he sustained during the physical altercation at school the previous day. "From our ongoing investigation, initial information from the medical examiner's office after a complete autopsy shows the decedent did not die as a result of trauma," the police department said in a statement on Facebook.

Despite the police department claiming Benedict’s injuries from the fight did not lead to his tragic passing, the exact cause of death is still unknown nearly a month later, and the case is still under investigation.

The federal investigation explained

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has launched an investigation into Owasso Public Schools after the Human Rights Campaign filed a complaint regarding the way the Oklahoma school district handled sex-based harassment incidents that may have contributed to Benedict’s death.

“Nex’s family, community, and the broader 2SLGBTQI+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex+) community in Oklahoma are still awaiting answers following their tragic loss,” HRC President Kelley Robinson said in a press release announcing the investigation. “We appreciate the Department of Education responding to our complaint and opening an investigation—we need them to act urgently so there can be justice for Nex and so that all students at Owasso High School and every school in Oklahoma can be safe from bullying, harassment, and discrimination.”

A community in mourning

Students from Ossawo High School held a vigil and a walkout in Benedict’s honor and in the hopes of drawing attention to the mishandling of the case and the systemic issues around LGBTQ+ bullying in schools.

Benedict’s partner, Spencer, spoke at the vigil and said he "was always one of the brightest kids in the room, whether he would smile or not.”

What did the medical examiner find?

More than a month after the tragic death of Nex Benedict, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Oklahoma released a one-page summary that lists the cause of the teen’s death as suicide through toxicity from fluoxetine (Prozac) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

Both the public and Benedict’s family are skeptical of the findings because he died just one day after being assaulted by a group of girls. Benedict’s family, through their legal representative, pointed out that while there was “No lethal trauma” found, there were many injuries.

According to The Advocate, there were “bruises around Benedict’s right eye and on the right side of their face, minor cuts on their right cheek and ear, and scrapes on both ears and the left cheek, along with bleeding under the scalp.” There were also injuries likely from CPR and Benedict’s “bruises, scraps, and scars” found on his limbs. The full report will be released on March 27.

“Nex’s family accurately notes how the report released this week does not reflect the full picture of what happened to Nex and continues to urge accountability of those who failed to keep Nex and all students in Oklahoma safe from bullying, harassment, assault, and most brutally, death,” GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement.

President Joe Biden’s response

On March 14, President Joe Biden issued a statement from the White House, offering condolences and pointing out that transgender and nonbinary students shouldn’t have to face bullying in school.

“Every young person deserves to have the fundamental right and freedom to be who they are and feel safe and supported at school and in their communities. Nex Benedict, a kid who just wanted to be accepted, should still be here with us today,” Biden said, pointing out that we must work to put an end to bullying, discrimination, and the suicide crisis among nonbinary and transgender kids.

“To LGBTQI+ young people across the country — you are loved exactly as you are,” he said.