The final autopsy report of nonbinary teen Nex Benedict revealed that they died by suicide, leaving handwritten notes suggestive of self-harm. Despite multiple head injuries from a school fight the day before, no lethal trauma was discovered. The 16-year-old overdosed on a combination of an antidepressant and antihistamine a day after being targeted by bullies over their gender identity at Owasso High School in Oklahoma. Family and LGBTQ advocacy groups disputed earlier findings that the death was a suicide and called for further investigations.
The full autopsy report revealed that Benedict had bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, self-harm, chronic tobacco abuse, and chronic marijuana abuse. Dr. Ross Miller noted various injuries on their body, including contusions, lacerations, abrasions, and hemorrhages. Handwritten notes suggestive of self-harm were found in Benedict’s room. Despite the severity of the assault, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler declined to file charges, describing the fight as mutual combat. The family’s attorney cited passages from the autopsy report arguing that the injuries suffered should not be overshadowed by the suicide ruling.
LGBTQ advocacy groups have called for outside investigations into Benedict’s death and the hostile school environment that led to it. The Human Rights Campaign filed a complaint with the US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, investigating sex-based harassment and discrimination in the school district. They have also requested an investigation into Ryan Walters, the state superintendent of schools and an opponent of LGBTQ rights. The lack of information in the autopsy report does not change the fact that LGBTQ+ students in Oklahoma are not safe at school, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
The medical examiner emphasized that the manner of death is not a legal determination of culpability or intent and that decisions outside of the medical examiner’s role. The family disputed earlier findings of suicide and hired an attorney to demand further investigations. The full autopsy report revealed numerous areas of physical trauma that evidence the severity of the assault on Benedict. The bullying and harassment that led to the tragic outcome remain a concern for advocacy groups and the family, who are urging urgent action to address hostile school environments and protect LGBTQ+ students.
The Human Rights Campaign and other LGBTQ advocacy groups continue to push for investigations into the circumstances surrounding Benedict’s death and the school environment that led to it. The lack of information in the autopsy report and the decision not to file charges have raised concerns about the safety of LGBTQ+ students in schools. The family’s attorney has highlighted the severity of the physical trauma suffered by Benedict and disputed the ruling of suicide. Urgent action is being called for to address the failures in leadership and ensure that all students feel safe and supported in their school environments.
