Death of Nex Benedict

{{Short description|2024 death of a nonbinary American teenager}} {{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{Use American English|date=February 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024|cs1-dates=l}} {{Infobox person | name = Nex Benedict | image = Nex Benedict.png | alt = Nex Benedict smiles slightly for the camera. | caption = Benedict in 2023 | birth_date = {{Birth date|2008|1|11}} | birth_place = El Paso, Texas, U.S. | death_date = {{Death date and given age|2024|2|8|16}} | death_place = Owasso, Oklahoma, U.S. | death_cause = Suicide by overdose }}

'''Nex Benedict''' (January 11, 2008 – February 8, 2024)<ref name="IndependentHurley22Feb"/> was a 16-year-old non-binary American high school student who died the day after a physical altercation in the girls' restroom of their{{refn|group=note|name=first|Benedict used he/him and they/them pronouns.<ref name="Cann Feb 26 2024">{{cite news |last1=Cann |first1=Christopher |last2=Young |first2=Molly |last3=Mayes-Osterman |first3=Cybele |title=Death of Nex Benedict did not result from trauma, police say; many questions remain |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/02/22/nex-benedict-case-oklahoma/72695904007/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |work=USA Today |date=February 26, 2024 |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227121101/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/02/22/nex-benedict-case-oklahoma/72695904007/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hinton |first1=Carla |title='We lost a member of our community': Hundreds mourn Nex Benedict's death at Oklahoma vigils |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/02/25/hundreds-at-okc-praye-vigil-show-love-honor-for-nex-benedict/72688425007/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |work=The Oklahoman |date=February 27, 2024 |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227202326/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/02/25/hundreds-at-okc-praye-vigil-show-love-honor-for-nex-benedict/72688425007/ |url-status=live}}</ref> This article uses they/them pronouns for consistency.}} high school. Investigators later determined Benedict's death was a suicide caused by an overdose of Prozac and Benadryl.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/me-report-reveals-nex-benedicts-cause-of-death | title=President Biden releases statement on Nex Benedict's cause of death | date=March 13, 2024 }}</ref> The incident was the subject of national media attention as some have argued Benedict's death was the result of anti-LGBTQIA policies in Benedict's home state of Oklahoma.

According to Benedict's mother and friends, Benedict had been bullied by classmates about their gender identity for more than a year before their death. On February 7, 2024, Benedict was involved in a fight in the girls' restroom at Owasso High School, during which they lost consciousness. The following day, Benedict collapsed in their living room and was later pronounced dead.

In late February, Benedict's death began to receive widespread news coverage and vigils in honor of Benedict were held across the United States. Civil rights groups and advocates condemned anti-LGBT policies and rhetoric, and called for an investigation of the Oklahoma State Department of Education, as well as the removal of Ryan Walters, the Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction. Walters defended state policies and criticized responses to Benedict's death as politically motivated.

On March 13, a summary autopsy report by the Oklahoma medical examiner ruled Benedict's death a suicide caused by a drug overdose. On March 14, family members of Benedict released a statement about how they did not want the finding of suicide to overshadow the severity of Benedict's injuries from the altercation.

On March 21, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler deemed the bathroom altercation to be mutual combat and announced no criminal charges would be filed in connection with the altercation or Benedict's death. In response, advocacy groups called for an independent investigation. On March 27, the Oklahoma medical examiner released a full autopsy report restating the finding of suicide by drug overdose.

==Background== Nex Benedict was born in 2008 in El Paso, Texas. According to Sue Benedict, Nex's grandmother and adoptive mother, Nex's biological father relinquished all parental rights early on,<ref name="IndependentHurley22Feb"/> and is in prison for abuse.<ref name="WaPoHennessy-Fiske21Feb">{{Cite news |last=Hennessy-Fiske |first=Molly |date=February 21, 2024 |title=Soul-searching and recriminations after teen's death in Oklahoma |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/02/21/oklahoma-teen-lgbtq-nex-benedict-died/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221212907/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/02/21/oklahoma-teen-lgbtq-nex-benedict-died/ |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> Sue raised Nex since they were two months old and formally adopted them a few years before their death.<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb">{{Cite news |last=Hurley |first=Bevan |date=February 20, 2024 |title=Oklahoma banned trans students from bathrooms. Now a bullied student is dead |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-dead-oklahoma-b2499332.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220231802/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-dead-oklahoma-b2499332.html |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=The Independent}}</ref><ref name="AdvocateWiggins20Feb">{{Cite magazine |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |date=February 20, 2024 |title=Oklahoma transgender student dies after assault at school |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/transgender-student-death-raichik-walters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222033558/https://www.advocate.com/news/transgender-student-death-raichik-walters |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |magazine=The Advocate}}</ref> Sue is enrolled in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, but Nex was not affiliated with the tribe.<ref name="IndianzAgoyo21Feb">{{cite news |url=https://indianz.com/News/2024/02/21/we-pray-nexs-family-choctaw-nation-mourns-loss-of-young-student/ |title=Nex's death weighs heavily on the hearts of the Choctaw people |date=February 21, 2024 |last=Agoyo |first=Acee |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=Indianz.Com |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221214747/https://indianz.com/News/2024/02/21/we-pray-nexs-family-choctaw-nation-mourns-loss-of-young-student/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Nex and their family lived in Owasso, Oklahoma,<ref name="2024-02-21 Frontier">{{cite news |last1=Goforth |first1=Dylan |date=February 21, 2024 |title=The death of nonbinary teen shines a national spotlight on Oklahoma's anti-LGBTQ+ policies |url=https://www.readfrontier.org/stories/the-death-of-nonbinary-teen-shines-a-national-spotlight-on-oklahomas-anti-lgbtq-policies/ |url-status=live |work=The Frontier |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301205601/https://www.readfrontier.org/stories/the-death-of-nonbinary-teen-shines-a-national-spotlight-on-oklahomas-anti-lgbtq-policies/ |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |access-date=March 7, 2024 |quote=Nex Benedict, 16, died one day after a fight in a school bathroom. The cause and circumstances surrounding their death remain under investigation even as public outrage grows.}}</ref> a suburb of Tulsa,<ref name="Miller Feb 23, 2024">{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Ken |last2=Marcelo |first2=Philip |last3=Stengle |first3=Jamie |title=Video shows Oklahoma nonbinary teen after attack in school bathroom, the day before their death |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/a-search-warrant-reveals-additional-details-about-18684962.php |access-date=February 27, 2024 |work=SFGate |agency=Associated Press |date=February 23, 2024 |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227060417/https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/a-search-warrant-reveals-additional-details-about-18684962.php |url-status=live}}</ref> on the Cherokee Nation reservation, and attended school at Owasso High School on the reservation.<ref name="IndianzAgoyo21Feb"/> The high school has 3,000 students in grades 9 through 12.<ref name="2020 EQA">{{cite web |url=https://www.edprofiles.info/doc/profiles/2020/reports/src/202072i011715.pdf |title=2020 School Profiles: Owasso High School (9–12) |author=Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability |location=Owasso, Oklahoma |language=en |access-date=March 7, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229132354/https://www.edprofiles.info/doc/profiles/2020/reports/src/202072i011715.pdf |archive-date=February 29, 2024}}</ref>

In 2022, Oklahoma became the first state in the United States to prohibit the use of non-binary gender markers on birth certificates.<ref name="Sasani Feb 22 2024">{{cite news |last1=Sasani |first1=Ava |title='Scared for our kids': anger mounts after non-binary teen dies following school fight |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/22/nex-benedict-death-oklahoma-owasso-lgbt-student |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=February 22, 2024 |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225195226/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/22/nex-benedict-death-oklahoma-owasso-lgbt-student |url-status=live}}</ref> A law passed in 2022 prohibits students from using a bathroom that does not correspond with their sex assigned at birth,<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb"/> and minors are legally prevented from receiving gender-affirming health care.<ref name="Fenwick Feb 25 2024">{{cite news |last1=Fenwick |first1=Ben |date=February 25, 2024 |title='It could have been me': At Oklahoma vigil for Nex Benedict, mourners call for action |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-vigil |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225193719/https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-vigil |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=The Advocate |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Murphy Feb 22 2024">{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Sean |date=February 22, 2024 |title=How the death of a nonbinary Oklahoma teenager has renewed scrutiny on anti-trans policies |url=https://apnews.com/article/nonbinary-student-death-nex-owasso-oklahoma-1e07834d6aad2475a8f744974d66e765 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225235123/https://apnews.com/article/nonbinary-student-death-nex-owasso-oklahoma-1e07834d6aad2475a8f744974d66e765 |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Sasani Feb 22 2024"/><ref name="Edmonds Feb 25 2024">{{cite news |last1=Edmonds |first1=Colbi |last2=Hassan |first2=Adeel |title=What We Know About the Death of a Nonbinary Student in Oklahoma |url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/nex-benedict-oklahoma.html |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=February 25, 2024 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226000551/https://www.nytimes.com/article/nex-benedict-oklahoma.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Legislation under consideration for the 2024 session included new curriculum for public schools to describe gender as an "immutable biological trait," a ban on changing sex on birth certificates, and a requirement for school employees to use pronouns and names for students based only on birth certificates.<ref name="Murphy Feb 22 2024"/><ref name="Edmonds Feb 25 2024"/>

Ryan Walters, the Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction, has implemented policies that include preventing students from changing the designation of their gender or sex in school records.<ref name="Cann Feb 26 2024"/><ref name="McMenamin Feb 21 2024">{{cite news |last1=McMenamin |first1=Lex |title=Nex Benedict Died After a Bathroom Beating. Oklahoma LGBTQ+ Advocates Are Speaking Out. |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/nex-benedict-everything-we-know-about-16-year-old-oklahoma-students-death |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=Teen Vogue |date=February 21, 2024 |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221232902/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/nex-benedict-everything-we-know-about-16-year-old-oklahoma-students-death |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lonas |first1=Lexi |title=Nex Benedict's death shines spotlight on Oklahoma schools |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4489793-nex-benedict-death-oklahoma-schools-nonbinary/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |work=The Hill |date=February 26, 2024 |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227062109/https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4489793-nex-benedict-death-oklahoma-schools-nonbinary/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2024, Walters appointed social media influencer Chaya Raichik, the operator of the Libs of TikTok account known for posting anti-LGBT+ content,<ref>{{cite news |date=March 29, 2024 |title=Ryan Walters, Libs of TikTok, gay blogger redefine Nex Benedict |url=https://www.losangelesblade.com/2024/03/29/ryan-walters-libs-of-tiktok-gay-blogger-redefine-nex-benedict/ |work=Los Angeles Blade |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402130438/https://www.losangelesblade.com/2024/03/29/ryan-walters-libs-of-tiktok-gay-blogger-redefine-nex-benedict/ |archive-date=April 2, 2024}}</ref>{{refn|group=note|name=anti-LGBT|{{bulleted list|{{cite news |last=Aguiano |first=Dani |date=June 13, 2022 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jun/13/drag-queen-event-stormed-men-believed-proud-boys-group-california |title=Group of men storm Drag Queen Story Hour in California in possible hate crime |work=The Guardian |access-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301225356/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jun/13/drag-queen-event-stormed-men-believed-proud-boys-group-california |archive-date=March 1, 2024}} |{{cite web |last1=Hayden |first1=Michael Edison |date=June 14, 2022 |title=Far-Right Influencers Hyped Coeur d'Alene Pride Before Patriot Front Showed Up |url=https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2022/06/14/far-right-influencers-hyped-coeur-dalene-pride-patriot-front-showed |access-date=August 30, 2022 |website=Southern Poverty Law Center |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314020847/https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2022/06/14/far-right-influencers-hyped-coeur-dalene-pride-patriot-front-showed |archive-date=March 14, 2024}} |{{cite news |last=Bond |first=Shannon |date=August 26, 2022 |title=Children's hospitals are the latest target of anti-LGBTQ harassment |work=All Things Considered |publisher=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/08/26/1119634878/childrens-hospitals-are-the-latest-target-of-anti-lgbtq-harassment |access-date=August 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329080344/https://www.npr.org/2022/08/26/1119634878/childrens-hospitals-are-the-latest-target-of-anti-lgbtq-harassment |archive-date=March 29, 2024}} |{{cite news |last=Kelleher |first=Patrick |date=November 23, 2022 |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/11/23/jk-rowling-libs-of-tik-tok-twitter/ |title=JK Rowling 'likes' tweet by far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ Libs of TikTok |work=Pink News |access-date=February 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302000745/https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/11/23/jk-rowling-libs-of-tik-tok-twitter/ |archive-date=March 2, 2024}} |{{cite news |last=Tunney |first=Joseph |date=November 25, 2022 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/lgbtq-activists-libs-of-tik-tok-shopify-1.6662359 |access-date=February 27, 2024 |title=Shopify won't cut ties with controversial Libs of TikTok |work=CBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313042219/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/lgbtq-activists-libs-of-tik-tok-shopify-1.6662359 |archive-date=March 13, 2024}} |{{cite news |last=Shapero |first=Julia |date=December 14, 2022 |url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3774664-harassment-reported-at-gender-affirming-care-providers-in-21-states/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |title=Harassment reported at gender-affirming care providers in 21 states |work=The Hill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213085155/https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3774664-harassment-reported-at-gender-affirming-care-providers-in-21-states/ |archive-date=February 13, 2023}} |{{cite news |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |date=December 27, 2022 |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/12/27/libs-tiktoks-chaya-raichik-spews-anti-lgbtq-bile-fox-interview-tucker-carlson |access-date=February 27, 2024 |title=Libs of TikTok's Chaya Raichik Spews Anti-LGBTQ+ Bile in Fox Interview |work=The Advocate |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120144454/https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/12/27/libs-tiktoks-chaya-raichik-spews-anti-lgbtq-bile-fox-interview-tucker-carlson |archive-date=January 20, 2024}} |{{cite news |last=Witkowski |first=D'Anne |date=March 5, 2024 |title=Death of Nex Benedict Shines Spotlight on Oklahoma's Anti-LGBTQ+ Agenda |url=https://pridesource.com/article/death-of-nex-benedict-shines-spotlight-on-oklahomas-anti-lgbtq-agenda |work=Pride Source |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305225304/https://pridesource.com/article/death-of-nex-benedict-shines-spotlight-on-oklahomas-anti-lgbtq-agenda |archive-date=March 5, 2024}} |{{cite news |last=Darrington |first=Patrick |date=March 12, 2024 |title=Conservatives launch transphobic campaign against employee at Space Camp in Huntsville |url=https://www.alreporter.com/2024/03/12/conservatives-launch-transphobic-campaign-against-employee-at-space-camp-in-huntsville/ |work=Alabama Political Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312162315/https://www.alreporter.com/2024/03/12/conservatives-launch-transphobic-campaign-against-employee-at-space-camp-in-huntsville/ |archive-date=March 12, 2024}} |{{cite news |last=Levesque |first=Brody |date=March 30, 2024 |title=Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik added to SPLC hate watch list |url=https://www.losangelesblade.com/2024/03/30/libs-of-tiktok-creator-chaya-raichik-added-to-splc-hate-watch-list/ |work=Los Angeles Blade |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402130702/https://www.losangelesblade.com/2024/03/30/libs-of-tiktok-creator-chaya-raichik-added-to-splc-hate-watch-list/ |archive-date=April 2, 2024}} }}}} to the Oklahoma Department of Education's Library Media Advisory Committee. In 2022, a middle school teacher, reported to have been "greatly admired" by Nex, resigned after becoming a subject of a post by Raichik.<ref name="McMenamin Feb 21 2024"/><ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb"/>

According to Sue Benedict and Nex's friends, students at Owasso High School had been bullying Nex due to Nex's gender identity for more than a year since the beginning of the 2023 school year.<ref name="IndependentHurley22Feb">{{Cite web |date=February 22, 2024 |first=Bevan |last=Hurley |title=Non-binary student Nex Benedict who died after bathroom assault was a 'shining light' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-oklahoma-ossawa-non-binary-b2500209.html |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223200754/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-oklahoma-ossawa-non-binary-b2500209.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Cann Feb 26 2024"/><ref name="Young Feb 24 2024">{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Molly |title=Family, friends of Nex Benedict remember Owasso teen: 'We are incredibly sad' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2024/02/22/owasso-high-school-nex-benedict-death-questions-while-family-remembers/72685738007/ |access-date=February 28, 2024 |agency=The Oklahoman |newspaper=USA Today |date=February 24, 2024 |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228044806/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2024/02/22/owasso-high-school-nex-benedict-death-questions-while-family-remembers/72685738007/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb"/> Benedict was a sophomore in high school.<ref name="IndependentHurley22Feb"/>

== Altercation == On the afternoon of February 7, 2024, surveillance footage from the Owasso High School hallway showed six students enter the girls' bathroom where the incident occurred, before Nex and two students entered.<ref name="Miller Feb 23, 2024" /> In a subsequent interview with police, Nex told an officer that while they and their friend were in the restroom, Nex heard laughter and comments about Nex and their friend, from the group of three students they had previously complained to their mother about.<ref name="Goodman Feb 24 2024">{{cite news |last1=Goodman |first1=J. David |date=February 24, 2024 |title=In Video, Nonbinary Student Describes Fight in Oklahoma School Bathroom |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/24/us/oklahoma-bathroom-video-nex-benedict.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224171601/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/24/us/oklahoma-bathroom-video-nex-benedict.html |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |access-date=February 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="Deliso Feb 24 2024">{{cite news |last1=Deliso |first1=Meredith |date=February 24, 2024 |title=Nex Benedict, nonbinary teen who died day after school fight, describes altercation in police footage |url=https://digital.abcaudio.com/news/nex-benedict-nonbinary-teen-who-died-day-after-school-fight-describes-altercation-police |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304210831/https://digital.abcaudio.com/news/nex-benedict-nonbinary-teen-who-died-day-after-school-fight-describes-altercation-police |archive-date=March 4, 2024 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |work=ABC News |agency=ABC Audio Digital Syndication}}</ref><ref name="Oklahoman">{{Cite news |last1=Ayer |first1=Justin |last2=Blake |first2=Alexandra |date=February 23, 2024 |title=Owasso police release audio, video recordings from investigation into Nex Benedict's death |url=https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/owasso-police-release-audio-video-recordings-from-investigation-into-nex-benedicts-death |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224052524/https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/owasso-police-release-audio-video-recordings-from-investigation-into-nex-benedicts-death |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |access-date=February 24, 2024 |work=KJRH}}</ref> Nex said they poured water on the group of three students, and then "They came at me. They grabbed on my hair. I grabbed onto them. I threw one of them into a paper towel dispenser and then they got my legs out from under me and got me on the ground."<ref name="Miller Feb 23, 2024" /><ref name="Goodman Feb 24 2024" /><ref name="Deliso Feb 24 2024" /> Nex said they were then beaten by the students and lost consciousness.<ref name="Miller Feb 23, 2024" /><ref name="Smart Feb 25 2024">{{Cite web |last1=Smart |first1=Sara |last2=Almasy |first2=Steve |date=February 25, 2024 |title=Police video shows non-binary teen Nex Benedict, who died a day later, describe fight in high school bathroom |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/25/us/oklahoma-nex-benedict-death-police-video/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227021509/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/25/us/oklahoma-nex-benedict-death-police-video/index.html |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |access-date=February 29, 2024 |website=CNN}}</ref><ref name="Goodman Feb 24 2024" />

Nex told the officer they did not know the names of the three students and said the group had antagonized them for days before the altercation.<ref name="Deliso Feb 24 2024" /> Nex said they had only known the students through an in-school suspension they were all serving, and Nex said the group were all first-year students.<ref name="Romano Mar 6 2024">{{cite news |last1=Romano |first1=Aja |date=March 6, 2024 |title=The unanswered questions surrounding the tragic death of Nex Benedict |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/24092224/nex-benedict-death-what-happened-okhlahoma-anti-trans-laws-backlash |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317211739/https://www.vox.com/culture/24092224/nex-benedict-death-what-happened-okhlahoma-anti-trans-laws-backlash |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |access-date=March 18, 2024 |work=Vox |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ledbetter |first1=Reagan |last2=Deggs |first2=Kaitlyn |date=February 23, 2024 |title=Owasso Police Release 911 Calls, Bodycam And Security Videos From Nex Benedict Investigation |url=https://www.newson6.com/story/65d93c4cc6b071064816d627/owasso-police-release-911-calls-bodycam-and-security-videos-from-nex-benedict-investigation |access-date=6 April 2024 |work=www.newson6.com |language=en |archive-date=April 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406024439/https://www.newson6.com/story/65d93c4cc6b071064816d627/owasso-police-release-911-calls-bodycam-and-security-videos-from-nex-benedict-investigation |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sue Benedict said she was contacted by Owasso High School and arrived to find Nex with bruises on their face and scratches on the back of their head. Sue was also informed that Nex was suspended from school for two weeks.<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb" /><ref name="IndependentHurley22Feb" /> Sue then took Nex to be examined at a nearby hospital<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb" /> and summoned the Owasso Police Department.<ref name="LABladeLevesque19Feb">{{cite news |last=Levesque |first=Brody |date=February 19, 2024 |title=Oklahoma non-binary high schooler dies after physical altercation |url=https://www.losangelesblade.com/2024/02/19/oklahoma-non-binary-high-schooler-dies-after-physical-altercation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220051524/https://www.losangelesblade.com/2024/02/19/oklahoma-non-binary-high-schooler-dies-after-physical-altercation/ |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Blade}}</ref>

Sue told the officer about past complaints by Nex about three students in the week before the altercation, and that Nex had described the conduct as "they're making comments, they're throwing stuff, they're calling us names,"<ref name="Goodman Feb 24 2024" /><ref name="Oklahoman Feb 26 2024">{{cite news |date=February 26, 2024 |title=Owasso police release bodycam footage of Nex Benedict interview: 'I got jumped' |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/02/23/oklahoma-teen-dies-nex-benedict-owasso-police-bodycam-footage-of-interview/72719139007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303122053/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/02/23/oklahoma-teen-dies-nex-benedict-owasso-police-bodycam-footage-of-interview/72719139007/ |archive-date=March 3, 2024 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |work=The Oklahoman}}</ref> and Sue told Nex to ignore the students.<ref name="Smart Feb 25 2024" /><ref name="Oklahoman Feb 26 2024" /> During the interview, the officer asked Nex why they had not reported the past conduct of the three students to the school, and Nex replied "I didn't really see the point in it."<ref name="Goodman Feb 24 2024" /><ref name="Deliso Feb 24 2024" /><ref name="Harris Feb 29 2024">{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Mary |title=Will a Teen's Death Cause a Reckoning in Oklahoma? |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/02/nex-benedict-death-owasso-oklahoma-anti-trans-queer-lgbtq-legislature-libs-of-tiktok.html |access-date=March 5, 2024 |work=Slate |date=February 29, 2024 |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305044644/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/02/nex-benedict-death-owasso-oklahoma-anti-trans-queer-lgbtq-legislature-libs-of-tiktok.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

The officer indicated it was possible the incident might be seen as mutual and Nex could face charges if Sue pursued charges against the three students, also stating that the other students had no right to put their hands on Nex.<ref name="Goodman Feb 24 2024"/> Sue declined to pursue charges at that time.<ref name="Miller Feb 23, 2024"/><ref name="Advocate - police video"/><ref name="Deliso Feb 24 2024"/> The officer also said he could be contacted to reconsider filing charges, if after Nex was examined, their injuries were more severe than scrapes and bruises.<ref name="Advocate - police video">{{cite news |last1=Wiggins |first1=Christopher |title=Watch alarming video of Nex Benedict explaining to police that they were bullied |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-police-video |access-date=February 24, 2024 |magazine=The Advocate |date=February 23, 2024 |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224053439/https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-police-video |url-status=live}}</ref> Nex was discharged later that day and reportedly went to sleep with a sore head.<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb"/>

== Death == On February 8, the day after the altercation, while preparing to travel with their mother for an appointment, Nex collapsed in the family's living room. Sue called 911, saying that Nex's eyes had rolled back and Nex was struggling to breathe.<ref name="police release"/> Nex had stopped breathing by the time emergency medical technicians arrived, and was declared dead at the hospital that evening.<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb"/>

== Investigation == Dan Yancy, Owasso Police Chief, said that "no report of the incident was made to the Owasso Police Department prior to the notification at the hospital."<ref name="AdvocateWiggins20Feb"/> A search warrant dated February 9 resulted in the collection of 137 pictures from the school, two swabs of stains from the bathroom, as well as records and other documents related to involved students.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Ken |last2=Marcelo |first2=Philip |title=Search warrant reveals additional details about nonbinary teen's death in Oklahoma |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/nation-world/nex-benedict-oklahoma-nonbinary-student-death/article_6581a9cb-40af-50db-83e8-ae30f271e15a.html |access-date=February 27, 2024 |work=St. Louis Dispatch |agency=Associated Press |date=February 24, 2024 |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227055034/https://www.stltoday.com/news/nation-world/nex-benedict-oklahoma-nonbinary-student-death/article_6581a9cb-40af-50db-83e8-ae30f271e15a.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In a February 20 statement, an Owasso Police spokesperson said school staff and students were being interviewed by detectives.<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb"/> The spokesperson also said the police investigation would be provided to the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office to review for prosecution.<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb"/><ref name="ABCNewsAlfonseca21Feb"/> In a February 21 statement, Owasso Police wrote on Facebook, "While the investigation continues into the altercation, preliminary information from the medical examiner's office is that a complete autopsy was performed and indicated that the decedent did not die as a result of trauma"<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb"/><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Oklahoma police say bullied nonbinary teen Nex Benedict 'did not die as a result of trauma' |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-death-unrelated-trauma |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |date=February 21, 2024 |magazine=The Advocate |access-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224053433/https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-death-unrelated-trauma |url-status=live}}</ref> and "further comments on the cause of death are currently pending until toxicology results and other ancillary testing results are received."<ref name="ABCNewsAlfonseca21Feb">{{Cite news |last=Alfonseca |first=Kiara |date=February 21, 2024 |title=Oklahoma death of nonbinary student Nex Benedict after in-school fight prompts calls for answers |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/oklahoma-death-nonbinary-student-nex-benedict-after-school/story?id=107384625 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221160535/https://abcnews.go.com/US/oklahoma-death-nonbinary-student-nex-benedict-after-school/story?id=107384625 |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Sean |title=Oklahoma police say nonbinary teen's death was not result of injuries from high school fight |url=https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-owasso-student-death-nonbinary-nex-04f1c51924860d77877016810bc05762 |access-date=February 27, 2024 |work=AP News |date=February 21, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227160923/https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-owasso-student-death-nonbinary-nex-04f1c51924860d77877016810bc05762 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 21, a police department spokesperson said hallway video from inside the school, showing Benedict before and after the incident, had been reviewed by investigators.<ref name="nbc-21feb2024">{{cite news |last1=Burke |first1=Minyvonne |last2=Stelloh |first2=Tim |last3=Yurcaba |first3=Jo |title=Authorities to release video from school where family of LGBTQ student said teen was attacked day before their death |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/authorities-release-video-school-family-lgbtq-student-said-teen-was-at-rcna139885 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=NBC News |date=February 21, 2024 |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222040957/https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/authorities-release-video-school-family-lgbtq-student-said-teen-was-at-rcna139885 |url-status=live}}</ref> On February 23, the Owasso police released footage from school surveillance cameras, officer-worn body cameras, and audio of the 911 calls made by Sue Benedict on February 7 and 8.<ref name="police release">{{cite news |url=https://www.fox23.com/news/owasso-police-release-body-cam-video-911-call-leading-up-to-students-death-following-fight/article_6bc7bb00-d28a-11ee-a4ba-b762d43b180b.html |title=Owasso Police release body cam video, 911 call, leading up to student's death following fight in school bathroom |date=February 23, 2024 |last=Asebes |first=John |work=Fox24 News |access-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224043647/https://www.fox23.com/news/owasso-police-release-body-cam-video-911-call-leading-up-to-students-death-following-fight/article_6bc7bb00-d28a-11ee-a4ba-b762d43b180b.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Oklahoman"/>

A spokesperson for the Owasso Police Department said in a statement to ''Popular Information'' that the medical examiner had not explicitly said that Benedict's death was unrelated to the head injuries, and that the Owasso Police had reached out to the examiner's office in order to head off national scrutiny.<ref name="IndependentHurley24Feb">{{Cite news |last=Hurley |first=Bevan |date=February 24, 2024 |title=Nex Benedict's mother blindsided by release of 911 call and body cam footage |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-owasso-police-bodycam-b2501924.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224200250/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-owasso-police-bodycam-b2501924.html |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |access-date=February 24, 2024 |work=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://popular.info/p/nex-benedicts-mom-raises-doubts-about |title=Nex Benedict's mom raises doubts about police statements: It's a 'big cover' |date=February 23, 2024 |author-link=Judd Legum |last=Legum |first=Judd |website=Popular Information |access-date=February 24, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223220520/https://popular.info/p/nex-benedicts-mom-raises-doubts-about |url-status=live}}</ref> On February 23, in a statement by their attorney, the Benedict family said they were independently investigating Benedict's death.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nex Benedict's family will privately investigate bullied non-binary student's death after fight |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-death-cause-investigation-b2501551.html |date=February 23, 2024 |last=Hurley |first=Bevan |work=The Independent |access-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223200804/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-death-cause-investigation-b2501551.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 27, an Owasso police spokesperson stated to ''NBC News'' that the medical examiner's office had not ruled out the fight as a possible cause or contributor to Benedict's death and added that "people shouldn't make assumptions either way."<ref name="nbc-27feb2024">{{cite news |last1=Yurcaba |first1=Jo |title=Fight hasn't been ruled out as cause of Nex Benedict's death, police say |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/fight-hasnt-ruled-cause-nex-benedicts-death-police-say-rcna140780 |access-date=February 27, 2024 |work=NBC News |date=February 27, 2024 |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227233403/https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/fight-hasnt-ruled-cause-nex-benedicts-death-police-say-rcna140780 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== March 13 summary autopsy report === On March 13, the Oklahoma medical examiner's summary report was released, ruling Benedict's cause of death a suicide from a combined toxicity of two pharmaceutical drugs: diphenhydramine (an antihistamine and sedative commonly known under the brand name Benadryl) and fluoxetine (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant known under the brand name Prozac).<ref>{{cite news |work=ABC (local) |url=https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-nex-benedict-autopsy-report-pharmacist-death-suicide/60193101 |title=Oklahoma pharmacist says multiple factors could have caused Nex Benedict's death |date= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318001852/https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-nex-benedict-autopsy-report-pharmacist-death-suicide/60193101 |archive-date=March 18, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Yurcaba Mar 13 2024">{{cite news |last1=Yurcaba |first1=Jo |last2=Lavietes |first2=Matt |date=March 13, 2024 |title=Death of transgender student Nex Benedict ruled suicide by medical examiner |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nex-benedict-suicide-death-oklahoma-student-lgbtq-rcna143298 |access-date=March 14, 2024 |work=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=March 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314033306/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nex-benedict-suicide-death-oklahoma-student-lgbtq-rcna143298 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Young Mar 13 2024">{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Molly |last2=Hayes |first2=Jana |date=March 13, 2024 |title=Oklahoma medical examiner reveals Nex Benedict's cause of death |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/03/13/nex-benedict-autopsy-oklahoma-medical-examiner-rules-death-suicide/72852952007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314055221/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/03/13/nex-benedict-autopsy-oklahoma-medical-examiner-rules-death-suicide/72852952007/ |archive-date=March 14, 2024 |access-date=March 14, 2024 |work=The Oklahoman}}</ref><ref name="NYT-2024-03-13">{{cite news |last=Sandoval |first=Edgar |date=March 13, 2024 |title=Autopsy Shows Nex Benedict Died of Suicide |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/13/us/nex-benedict-oklahoma-nonbinary-suicide.html |access-date=March 13, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313210446/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/13/us/nex-benedict-oklahoma-nonbinary-suicide.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Murphy Mar 13 2024">{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Sean |title=Death of nonbinary teen Nex Benedict after school fight is ruled a suicide, medical examiner says |url=https://apnews.com/article/nonbinary-student-death-nex-benedict-oklahoma-owasso-88f403bfd5436a53b636dcc2bc59ebf8 |access-date=March 13, 2024 |work=AP News |date=March 13, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=March 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313231811/https://apnews.com/article/nonbinary-student-death-nex-benedict-oklahoma-owasso-88f403bfd5436a53b636dcc2bc59ebf8 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Koco">{{cite news |title=ME lists manner of death for 16-year-old nonbinary student Nex Benedict as suicide |url=https://www.koco.com/article/nex-benedict-autopsy-death-oklahoma/60191680 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314092746/https://www.koco.com/article/nex-benedict-autopsy-death-oklahoma/60191680 |first=Jonathan |last=Greco |date=March 14, 2024 |access-date=March 14, 2024 |archive-date=March 14, 2024 |language=en-US |work=KOCO 5 News}}</ref>

On March 14, family members of Benedict released a statement through their attorney and said they had reviewed the complete autopsy report and did not want the ruling of suicide to overshadow other findings in the report, saying, "Rather than allow incomplete accounts to take hold and spread any further, the Benedicts feel compelled to provide a summary of those findings which have not yet been released by the Medical Examiner's office, particularly those that contradict allegations of the assault on Nex being insignificant...the Medical Examiner found numerous areas of physical trauma over Nex's body that evidence the severity of the assault."<ref name="Murphy Feb 22 2024" /><ref name="Young Mar 14 2024 2">{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Molly |title=Family of Nex Benedict responds to medical examiner's report |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/03/14/family-of-oklahoma-teen-nex-benedict-responds-to-medical-examiner/72978547007/ |access-date=March 15, 2024 |work=The Oklahoman |date=March 14, 2024 |archive-date=March 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315035257/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/03/14/family-of-oklahoma-teen-nex-benedict-responds-to-medical-examiner/72978547007/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Yurcaba Mar 13 2024" /><ref name="Hennessy-Fiske Mar 27 2024" /><ref name="TW Mar 27 2024" /><ref name="Hennessy-Fiske Mar13 2024">{{cite news |last1=Hennessy-Fiske |first1=Molly |date=March 13, 2024 |title=Oklahoma nonbinary teen's death ruled suicide, triggering anger |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/03/13/nex-benedict-oklahoma-death-autopsy/ |access-date=March 13, 2024 |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

Following the release of the summary autopsy report, a police investigation was reported to continue into the school bathroom incident and whether Benedict was subject to gender-based violence.<ref name="Young Mar 13 2024" />

=== March 21 District Attorney announcement === On March 21, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler announced that no criminal charges would be filed in response to the altercation on February 7 or Benedict's death on February 8.<ref name="Bowman Mar 21 2024" /><ref name="Dev Mar 21 2024">{{cite news |last1=Dev |first1=S. |title=No charges will be filed in nonbinary teen Nex Benedict's death, Oklahoma district attorney says |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nex-benedict-death-no-charges-filed-district-attorney-tulsa-oklahoma/ |access-date=March 22, 2024 |work=CBS News |date=March 21, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Murphy Mar 21 2024">{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Sean |title=No charges to be filed in fight involving Oklahoma nonbinary teen Nex Benedict, prosecutor says |url=https://apnews.com/article/nex-benedict-owasso-suicide-nonbinary-charges-0667b5a694c2773d6ea76face0a22ef1 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |work=AP News |date=March 21, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427140347/https://apnews.com/article/nex-benedict-owasso-suicide-nonbinary-charges-0667b5a694c2773d6ea76face0a22ef1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kunzweiler stated detectives had assessed the altercation as "an instance of mutual combat", and based on the evidence collected, he agreed with this assessment.<ref name="Murphy Mar 21 2024" /> Kunzweiler also said police had found "some brief notes, written by Benedict, which appeared to be related to the suicide" and said the contents were of a personal nature.<ref name="Bowman Mar 21 2024">{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Emma |title=Oklahoma prosecutors will not press charges in Nex Benedict case |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/03/21/1240079971/nex-benedict-case-tulsa-da |access-date=March 22, 2024 |work=NPR |date=March 21, 2024 |archive-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322030712/https://www.npr.org/2024/03/21/1240079971/nex-benedict-case-tulsa-da |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Murphy Mar 21 2024" /> According to Kunzweiler, the notes "do not make any reference to the earlier fight or difficulties at school" and the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office would not release the notes.<ref name="Cohen Mar 22 2024">{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Rebecca |title=No charges to be filed in fight involving Oklahoma teen Nex Benedict, DA says |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/no-charges-filed-fight-involving-oklahoma-teen-nex-benedict-da-says-rcna144573 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |work=NBC News |date=March 22, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427140339/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/no-charges-filed-fight-involving-oklahoma-teen-nex-benedict-da-says-rcna144573 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kunzweiler also noted that the medications found to be the cause of death were "legally available within the home where Benedict resided."<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |title=Oklahoma officials release full autopsy report for Nex Benedict |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/03/27/nex-benedict-autopsy-report-released-medical-examiner-suicide/73119798007/ |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=The Oklahoman |language=en-US |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327224852/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/03/27/nex-benedict-autopsy-report-released-medical-examiner-suicide/73119798007/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== March 27 full autopsy report === On March 27, the Oklahoma medical examiner released a full autopsy report with a toxicology report, citing suicide as Benedict's manner of death.<ref name="TW Mar 27 2024">{{cite news |title=Full autopsy of Nex Benedict released by Oklahoma medical examiner |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/full-autopsy-of-nex-benedict-released-by-oklahoma-medical-examiner/article_ea79f400-ec56-11ee-bac0-27f1b46bb843.html |access-date=March 27, 2024 |work=Tulsa World |date=March 27, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327193724/https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/full-autopsy-of-nex-benedict-released-by-oklahoma-medical-examiner/article_ea79f400-ec56-11ee-bac0-27f1b46bb843.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Combined toxicity of diphenhydramine and fluoxetine was ruled to be the cause of death.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kliewer |first1=Addison |title=Nex Benedict Autopsy: Oklahoma ME releases full report on Owasso teenager's death |url=https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-nex-benedict-autopsy-report-me-cause-of-death-toxicoloy/60320167 |access-date=March 28, 2024 |work=KOCO |date=March 27, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=March 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328033138/https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-nex-benedict-autopsy-report-me-cause-of-death-toxicoloy/60320167 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="KJRH Mar 27 2024">{{cite news |title=Medical Examiner releases full report on Nex Benedict's death |url=https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/medical-examiner-releases-full-report-on-nex-benedicts-death |access-date=March 27, 2024 |work=2 News Oklahoma KJRH Tulsa |date=March 27, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327214338/https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/medical-examiner-releases-full-report-on-nex-benedicts-death |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TW Mar 27 2024" /> The report also referenced handwritten notes found in Benedict's room by family members that were "suggestive of self-harm".<ref name="Bryan 27 March 2024">{{cite news |last1=Bryan |first1=Max |title=Medical examiner's report of Nex Benedict's death released |url=https://www.publicradiotulsa.org/local-regional/2024-03-27/medical-examiners-report-of-nex-benedicts-death-released |access-date=March 28, 2024 |work=Public Radio Tulsa |date=March 27, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=March 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328032923/https://www.publicradiotulsa.org/local-regional/2024-03-27/medical-examiners-report-of-nex-benedicts-death-released |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0" />

The Oklahoma medical examiner report also described several injuries on Benedict's head and neck, including two contusions, two small lacerations, two abrasions, and hemorrhaging on their right cheek and ear.<ref name="Hennessy-Fiske Mar 27 2024">{{cite news |last1=Hennessy-Fiske |first1=Molly |title=Nex Benedict autopsy lists head wounds but says suicide was cause of death |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/03/27/nex-benedict-nonbinary-oklahoma-bullying-death/ |access-date=March 27, 2024 |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 27, 2024 |archive-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427140401/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/03/27/nex-benedict-nonbinary-oklahoma-bullying-death/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TW Mar 27 2024" /> Other injuries noted by the report included injuries described as likely caused by attempted resuscitation,<ref name="TW Mar 27 2024" /> as well as various contusions and abrasions on Benedict's limbs.<ref name="TW Mar 27 2024" /><ref name="Yurcaba Mar 27 2024">{{cite news |last1=Yurcaba |first1=Jo |date=March 27, 2024 |title=Trans teen Nex Benedict left notes 'suggestive of self-harm', full autopsy reveals |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/nex-benedict-full-autopsy-released-oklahoma-transgender-teen-rcna145263 |access-date=March 27, 2024 |work=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327174651/https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/nex-benedict-full-autopsy-released-oklahoma-transgender-teen-rcna145263 |url-status=live }}</ref> The report also states injuries to Benedict from the altercation on February 7 were not lethal and found no brain injury.<ref name="TW Mar 27 2024" /><ref name="Yurcaba Mar 27 2024" /><ref name=":1" />

Other medical examiners and forensic pathologists reacting to the report have suggested that though fluoxetine levels in the report were not necessarily alarming, diphenhydramine was likely elevated to ranges consistent with cases of death.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |date=March 27, 2024 |title=Full Nex Benedict autopsy report released |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-autopsy-released |access-date=April 2, 2024 |website=www.advocate.com |publisher=The Advocate |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402193036/https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-autopsy-released |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |first1=Brenna |last1=Rose |first2=Alexandra |last2=Sharfman |date=March 27, 2024 |title=Nex Benedict Medical Examiner Report Released: What We've Learned |url=https://okcfox.com/news/local/nex-benedict-medical-examiner-report-released-owasso-student-16-year-old-suicide-physical-altercation-school-bathroom-oklahoma-cause-of-death-lgbtq-community-response |access-date=April 2, 2024 |website=KOKH |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402195336/https://okcfox.com/news/local/nex-benedict-medical-examiner-report-released-owasso-student-16-year-old-suicide-physical-altercation-school-bathroom-oklahoma-cause-of-death-lgbtq-community-response |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto1" />

== Aftermath == Early news reports following Benedict's death on February 8, 2024, were limited and misgendered Benedict.<ref name="Fu Feb 28 2024">{{cite news |last1=Fu |first1=Angela |date=February 28, 2024 |title=LGBTQ+ media broke details about Nex Benedict's gender identity. Mainstream media reacted slowly |url=https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2024/lgbtq-media-nex-benedict-nonbinary-media-coverage/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314070304/https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2024/lgbtq-media-nex-benedict-nonbinary-media-coverage/ |archive-date=March 14, 2024 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |work=Poynter Institute}}</ref> The ''Los Angeles Blade'', an LGBTQ newspaper, reported on Benedict's death on February 19, and more in-depth and widespread news coverage began on February 20.<ref name="Fu Feb 28 2024" />

A national hotline run by the Indianapolis-based Rainbow Youth Project reported receiving over 200 calls from Oklahoma in the weekend following Benedict's death, more than three times the usual amount, with many mentioning Benedict's death, and most reporting having been bullied.<ref name="WaPoHennessy-Fiske21Feb" /><ref name="Murphy Feb 22 2024" /> By March 7, contacts had continued to exceed the typical amount, including close to 1000 calls and online messages after February 16.<ref name="Yurcaba Mar 7 2024">{{cite news |last1=Yurcaba |first1=Jo |date=March 7, 2024 |title=After Nex Benedict's death, LGBTQ youth group saw 200% rise in crisis contacts from Oklahoma |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nex-benedicts-death-lgbtq-youth-group-saw-200-rise-crisis-contacts-okl-rcna142279 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315194626/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nex-benedicts-death-lgbtq-youth-group-saw-200-rise-crisis-contacts-okl-rcna142279 |archive-date=March 15, 2024 |access-date=March 15, 2024 |work=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> According to Lance Preston, the founder of the Rainbow Youth Project, greater awareness of the services offered by the group contributed to the increase in contacts.<ref name="Yurcaba Mar 7 2024" />

In a letter to parents reported on February 16, 2024, Owasso Public Schools said it would be increasing the number of security personnel within the district, updating their safety drills and rules, and providing additional counseling services for students affected by the death.<ref name="indy100Shuttleworth20Feb">{{cite news |last=Shuttleworth |first=Catherine |date=February 20, 2024 |title=Thousands raised for non-binary teenager beaten to death at school |url=https://www.indy100.com/news/nex-benedict-owasso-murdered |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222033545/https://www.indy100.com/news/nex-benedict-owasso-murdered |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=indy100}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=February 16, 2024 |title=Owasso Public Schools addresses school safety measures |url=https://www.fox23.com/news/owasso-public-schools-addresses-school-safety-measures/article_00bfabac-cd0c-11ee-9ef1-97177ed6263b.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220192212/https://www.fox23.com/news/owasso-public-schools-addresses-school-safety-measures/article_00bfabac-cd0c-11ee-9ef1-97177ed6263b.html |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=FOX23 News}}</ref><ref name="LGBTQNVillarrealFeb20">{{Cite magazine |last=Villarreal |first=Daniel |date=February 20, 2024 |title=Teen beaten to death in a school bathroom bullying attack. The school didn't call an ambulance. |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/02/teen-beaten-to-death-in-a-school-bathroom-bullying-attack-the-school-didnt-call-an-ambulance/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220193637/https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/02/teen-beaten-to-death-in-a-school-bathroom-bullying-attack-the-school-didnt-call-an-ambulance/ |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |magazine=LGBTQ Nation}}</ref> On February 22, Owasso Police Department spokesperson Nick Boatman said that a number of threats have been made towards Owasso Public Schools following Benedict's death.<ref name="OklahomanYoung22Feb">{{cite news |last=Young |first=Molly |date=February 22, 2024 |title=FBI investigating threats against Oklahoma school after death of Nex Benedict, police say |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/02/22/fbi-threats-owasso-oklahoms-schools-nex-benedict-investigation/72692048007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226225216/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/02/22/fbi-threats-owasso-oklahoms-schools-nex-benedict-investigation/72692048007/ |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=The Oklahoman}}</ref> Boatman stated that the Owasso Police Department had brought in several other agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and FBI, as part of a statewide task force to track down the individuals who have made the threats. Benedict's family issued a statement asking that threats against school employees and students should cease.<ref name="OklahomanYoung22Feb" /> They also requested that authorities take action in Benedict's case, and called for greater action to address school bullying.<ref name="OklahomanYoung22Feb" />

=== Federal civil rights investigation === Soon after Nex's death, the Human Rights Campaign urged the Department of Justice and Department of Education to request an investigation of Owasso High School, and whether the school had "unlawfully failed to address the discrimination and harassment to which Nex was subjected."<ref name="Hennessy-Fiske Mar 1 2024">{{cite news |last1=Hennessy-Fiske |first1=Molly |date=March 1, 2024 |title=Federal probe to look into Okla. school's actions before teen's death |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/03/01/nonbinary-teen-death-oklahoma-federal-investigation/ |url-access=registration |access-date=March 2, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427140351/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/03/01/nonbinary-teen-death-oklahoma-federal-investigation/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |date=22 February 2024 |title=HRC demands federal investigations into Nex Benedict death |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/kelley-robinson-doj-nex-benedict |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=www.advocate.com |language=en |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225223110/https://www.advocate.com/news/kelley-robinson-doj-nex-benedict |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hansford |first=Amelia |date=2024-02-23 |title=Nex Benedict: LGBTQ group demands federal investigation into teen's death |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/02/23/nex-benedict-hrc-investigation-demand/ |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=PinkNews |archive-date=April 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409003628/https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/02/23/nex-benedict-hrc-investigation-demand/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 1, the Office for Civil Rights division of the Department of Education informed the Human Rights Campaign that they were opening an investigation into the Oklahoma school district, and specifically "Whether the District failed to appropriately respond to alleged harassment of students in a manner consistent with the requirements of Title IX" and "Whether the District failed to appropriately respond to alleged harassment of students in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 504 and Title II."<ref>{{cite web |date=March 1, 2024 |title=Letter to Kelley Robinson |url=https://hrc-prod-requests.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/files/OCR-Letter-Fri-March-1.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302020004/https://hrc-prod-requests.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/files/OCR-Letter-Fri-March-1.pdf |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |access-date=March 2, 2024}}</ref><ref name="hill-1mar2024">{{cite news |last1=Migdon |first1=Brooke |date=March 1, 2024 |title=Education Department launching an investigation into death of Nex Benedict |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4502282-education-department-nex-benedict-death-investigation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302010315/https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4502282-education-department-nex-benedict-death-investigation/ |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |access-date=March 1, 2024 |work=The Hill}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lavietes |first1=Matt |date=March 1, 2024 |title=Education Department to open investigation into Nex Benedict's Oklahoma school district |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/education-department-opens-investigation-nex-benedicts-oklahoma-school-rcna141469 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302020004/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/education-department-opens-investigation-nex-benedicts-oklahoma-school-rcna141469 |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |access-date=March 2, 2024 |work=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Goodman |first1=J. David |date=March 1, 2024 |title=Federal Regulators to Review Nonbinary Student's Death in Oklahoma |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/01/us/oklahoma-student-nonbinary-investigation.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302020004/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/01/us/oklahoma-student-nonbinary-investigation.html |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |access-date=March 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> A spokesperson for the school district said the district is "committed to cooperating with federal officials and believes the complaint submitted by Human Rights Campaign is not supported by the facts and is without merit."<ref name="Hennessy-Fiske Mar 1 2024" /><ref name="2024-03-02 Guardian">{{cite news |last1=Helmore |first1=Edward |date=March 2, 2024 |title=Federal investigation announced into bullying claims in death of Nex Benedict |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/02/department-of-education-investigastion-nex-benedict-death |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303194624/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/02/department-of-education-investigastion-nex-benedict-death |archive-date=March 3, 2024 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |work=The Guardian |location=Oklahoma |language=en |issn=1756-3224 |oclc=60623878 |quote=The education department said it will launch an inquiry after the non-binary teen died after a fight at an Oklahoma public school}}</ref>

=== Vigils and memorials === [[File:Memorial to Nex Benedict, Radcliffe Sqaure, Oxford, March 2024.jpg|thumb|Memorial left after a vigil outside the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford, United Kingdom in March 2024]] Vigils honoring Benedict were held between February 23 and 25, in various locations in Benedict's home state of Oklahoma,<ref name="Aye Feb 29 2024">{{cite news |last1=Aye |first1=Nikki |last2=Adamczeski |first2=Ryan |date=February 29, 2024 |title=Nex Benedict vigils erupt nationwide. Here are the photos |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-vigils-gallery |access-date=6 April 2024 |work=The Advocate |language=en |archive-date=April 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406034359/https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-vigils-gallery |url-status=live }}</ref> including Owasso,<ref name="Haddaway 2024">{{cite news |last1=Haddaway |first1=Art |last2=Simons |first2=Mike |date=February 25, 2024 |title='It hit my heart': Hundreds turn out for Nex Benedict vigil in Owasso |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/community/owasso/it-hit-my-heart-hundreds-turn-out-for-nex-benedict-vigil-in-owasso/article_e98b299a-d41b-11ee-921e-33f75e688e1b.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226045350/https://tulsaworld.com/news/community/owasso/it-hit-my-heart-hundreds-turn-out-for-nex-benedict-vigil-in-owasso/article_e98b299a-d41b-11ee-921e-33f75e688e1b.html |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=Tulsa World |language=en}}</ref> as well as across the United States, including at the Stonewall Inn.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-29 |title=Nex Benedict vigils erupt nationwide. Here are the photos |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-vigils-gallery |access-date=2026-02-24 |website=The Advocate |language=}}</ref> During the vigil in Owasso, some participants used masculine pronouns when referring to Benedict, and some friends later told ''NBC News'' that Benedict used he/him pronouns primarily and also used they/them pronouns.<ref name="Haddaway 2024" /><ref name="Yurcaba Feb 26 2024">{{cite news |last1=Yurcaba |first1=Jo |date=February 26, 2024 |title=Friends remember Nex Benedict, Oklahoma student who died after school fight, as 'fiery kid' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/vigil-friends-remember-nex-benedict-fiery-kid-rcna140440 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226050732/https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/vigil-friends-remember-nex-benedict-fiery-kid-rcna140440 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>

On February 26, at least 40 students at Owasso High School participated in a school walk out, citing concerns about bullying and in support of the LGBTQ community at the school and in the city.<ref name="2024-02-26 ABC News">{{cite news |last1=Alfonseca |first1=Kiara |date=February 26, 2024 |title=Students walk out over nonbinary student Nex Benedict's death, anti-LGBTQ bullying in Oklahoma |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/student-walkout-owasso-high-school-oklahoma-nonbinary-student-nex-benedict-death/story?id=107546201 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226211605/https://abcnews.go.com/US/student-walkout-owasso-high-school-oklahoma-nonbinary-student-nex-benedict-death/story?id=107546201 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |access-date=February 26, 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chao-Fong |first1=Léonie |date=February 26, 2024 |title=Oklahoma students walk out over death of non-binary teen Nex Benedict |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/26/oklahoma-students-protest-nex-benedict-death |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227020828/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/26/oklahoma-students-protest-nex-benedict-death |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |access-date=February 27, 2024 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=February 26, 2024 |title=Students walk out of Oklahoma high school where nonbinary student was beaten and later died |url=https://apnews.com/article/nonbinary-student-oklahoma-nex-benedict-walkout-9ac5bebceb8d775487baac5957565ba3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227020828/https://apnews.com/article/nonbinary-student-oklahoma-nex-benedict-walkout-9ac5bebceb8d775487baac5957565ba3 |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |access-date=February 27, 2024 |work=AP News}}</ref> One of the student organizers of the walkout, who is nonbinary, told ''NBC News'' in advance of the walkout, "To me, it doesn't matter if Nex passed from a traumatic brain injury or if they passed from suicide. What matters is the fact that they died after getting bullied, and that is the story for so many other students. I've been close to ending it myself because of bullying. It's not new for so many students."<ref name="Yurcaba Mar 13 2024" />

In April 2024, Jesse Warne painted a mural in honor of Benedict at the Plaza Walls in Oklahoma City.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aston |first=Alexia |title=OKC artist paints Nex Benedict mural in Plaza District: 'Celebrate the positives' |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/04/17/okc-artist-paints-nex-benedict-memorial-mural-in-plaza-district/73325795007/ |access-date=2026-02-24 |website=The Oklahoman |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Reactions ==

=== Initial reactions ===

==== Officials ==== On February 20, Oklahoma state representative Mauree Turner, the first publicly non-binary state lawmaker, described Benedict's death as "a direct result of a failed administration in a public school that didn't value the life of a trans student." The Congressional Equality Caucus said in a written statement on February 21, "It's more important than ever to stand up to anti-trans hate, violence, & legislation across the country."<ref name="Migdon Feb 21 2024">{{cite news |last1=Migdon |first1=Brooke |date=February 21, 2024 |title=Advocates, lawmakers link nonbinary Oklahoma teen's death to anti-LGBTQ legislation and rhetoric |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/lgbtq/4481797-nonbinary-oklahoma-teen-nex-benedict-lgbtq/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228181940/https://thehill.com/homenews/lgbtq/4481797-nonbinary-oklahoma-teen-nex-benedict-lgbtq/ |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |access-date=February 28, 2024 |work=The Hill}}</ref> United States Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona wrote in a statement on February 21, "I can't put into words the grief that I feel for Nex, their family, and their community...It is our responsibility to protect all students by creating spaces where they feel safe to be their true selves."<ref name="Migdon Feb 21 2024" /><ref name="Cann Feb 26 2024" />

Ryan Walters, the Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction, defended Oklahoma's anti-LGBTQ policies in a February 23 interview with ''The New York Times'' regarding Benedict's death, saying: "There's not multiple genders. There's two. That's how God created us."<ref name="Fenwick Feb 25 2024"/><ref name="Billson Feb 24 2024"/><ref name="Goodman Feb 23 2024"/> Walters also said, "I think it's terrible that we've had some radical leftists who decided to run with a political agenda and try to weave a narrative that hasn't been true" and "You've taken a tragedy, and you've had some folks try to exploit it for political gain."<ref name="Goodman Feb 23 2024">{{cite news |last1=Goodman |first1=J. David |last2=Sandoval |first2=Edgar |date=February 23, 2024 |title=After Nonbinary Student's Death, Schools Chief Defends Restrictive Gender Policies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/23/us/oklahoma-nonbinary-student-superintendent.html |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229041154/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/23/us/oklahoma-nonbinary-student-superintendent.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Billson Feb 24 2024">{{cite web |last=Billson |first=Chantelle |date=February 24, 2024 |title=Oklahoma education chief claims Nex Benedict's death being 'exploited' by 'radical leftists' |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/02/24/oklahoma-superintendent-of-education-ryan-walters-nex-benedict/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224123136/https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/02/24/oklahoma-superintendent-of-education-ryan-walters-nex-benedict/ |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |access-date=February 24, 2024 |website=PinkNews }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ring |first1=Trudy |title=Oklahoma's Ryan Walters: Just two genders, as God intended |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/ryan-walters-rejects-trans-nonbinary |access-date=March 2, 2024 |work=The Advocate |date=February 23, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302152243/https://www.advocate.com/news/ryan-walters-rejects-trans-nonbinary |url-status=live}}</ref>

During a February 23 panel in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Republican state senator Tom Woods said that his "heart goes out" in regards to Benedict's death, and said Oklahoma is a religious, Christian, and moral state whose constituency "doesn't want that filth in Oklahoma".<ref name="TalequahFeb23">{{cite news |last=Guthrie |first=Lee |date=February 23, 2024 |title=Senator calls LGBTQ+ people 'filth', says most don't want them here |url=https://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/news/senator-calls-lgbtq-oklahomans-filth-says-constituents-dont-want-them/article_c8979398-d260-11ee-9823-973bf20c3730.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223233900/https://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/news/senator-calls-lgbtq-oklahomans-filth-says-constituents-dont-want-them/article_c8979398-d260-11ee-9823-973bf20c3730.html |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |access-date=February 24, 2024 |work=Tahlequah Daily Press |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Fenwick Feb 25 2024"/><ref name="OK Feb 26 2024">{{cite news |title=Reactions to state senator calling LGBTQ+ 'filth': 'Words have power, and consequences' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2024/02/24/oklahoma-state-sen-tom-woods-lgbtq-filth-social-media-reacts-nex-benedict/72725770007/ |access-date=March 1, 2024 |agency=The Oklahoman |newspaper=USA Today |date=February 26, 2024 |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301212759/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2024/02/24/oklahoma-state-sen-tom-woods-lgbtq-filth-social-media-reacts-nex-benedict/72725770007/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bryan |first1=Max |title=Oklahoma state senator calls LGBTQ+ people 'filth' when asked about death of nonbinary student |url=https://www.kosu.org/local-news/2024-02-26/oklahoma-state-senator-calls-lgbtq-people-filth-when-asked-about-death-of-nonbinary-student |access-date=March 1, 2024 |work=KOSU |date=February 26, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301212800/https://www.kosu.org/local-news/2024-02-26/oklahoma-state-senator-calls-lgbtq-people-filth-when-asked-about-death-of-nonbinary-student |url-status=live}}</ref> Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat responded by describing comments by Woods as "reprehensible and inappropriate" and "not in any way reflective of myself, the Senate Republican caucus, Senate leadership or the Senate overall."<ref name="Krehbiel Feb 27 2024">{{cite news |last1=Krehbiel |first1=Randy |title=Oklahoma senator stands by 'filth' comment about LGBTQ people despite rebuke |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/oklahoma-senator-stands-by-filth-comment-about-lgbtq-people-despite-rebuke/article_78eb6d36-d4f6-11ee-bf61-27a7c90b2913.html |access-date=March 1, 2024 |work=Tulsa World |date=February 27, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301193844/https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/oklahoma-senator-stands-by-filth-comment-about-lgbtq-people-despite-rebuke/article_78eb6d36-d4f6-11ee-bf61-27a7c90b2913.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="OK Feb 26 2024"/>

On February 23, Vice President Kamala Harris said that her "heart goes out to Nex Benedict's family" and that she stood with LGBTQ youth.<ref>{{cite news |last=Billson |first=Chantelle |date=February 24, 2024 |title=Kamala Harris 'stands with' LGBTQ youth following death of non-binary teen Nex Benedict |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/02/24/kamala-harris-stands-with-lgbtq-youth-following-death-of-non-binary-teen-nex-benedict/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224200255/https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/02/24/kamala-harris-stands-with-lgbtq-youth-following-death-of-non-binary-teen-nex-benedict/ |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |access-date=February 24, 2024 |work=PinkNews}}</ref>

On March 14, President Joe Biden released a statement<ref>{{cite news |date=March 14, 2024 |title=Statement from President Joe Biden on Nex Benedict |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/03/14/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-nex-benedict/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315000051/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/03/14/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-nex-benedict/ |archive-date=March 15, 2024 |access-date=March 14, 2024 |work=The White House}}</ref> that said "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," and said that he and First Lady Jill Biden were "heartbroken" by the loss.<ref name="Yurcaba Mar 14 2024">{{cite news |last1=Yurcaba |first1=Jo |date=March 14, 2024 |title=Biden issues statement on death of LGBTQ teen Nex Benedict, drawing attention to suicide crisis |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/biden-issues-statement-death-lgbtq-teen-nex-benedict-drawing-attention-rcna143453 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314235554/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/biden-issues-statement-death-lgbtq-teen-nex-benedict-drawing-attention-rcna143453 |archive-date=March 14, 2024 |access-date=March 14, 2024 |work=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Yang Mar 14 2024">{{cite news |last1=Yang |first1=Maya |date=March 14, 2024 |title=Oklahoma medical examiner rules death of teen Nex Benedict as a suicide |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/14/nex-benedict-cause-of-death |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314235233/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/14/nex-benedict-cause-of-death |archive-date=March 14, 2024 |access-date=March 14, 2024 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="Murphy Feb 22 2024" /> Biden also said, "Non-binary and transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know ... In memory of Nex, we must all recommit to our work to end discrimination and address the suicide crisis impacting too many nonbinary and transgender children ... Parents and schools must take reports of bullying seriously."<ref name="Yang Mar 14 2024" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Collins |first1=Michael |date=March 14, 2024 |title=Joe Biden mourns death of Nex Benedict, nonbinary teen who died by suicide |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/03/14/nex-benedict-nonbinary-biden-bullying/72976046007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315000621/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/03/14/nex-benedict-nonbinary-biden-bullying/72976046007/ |archive-date=March 15, 2024 |access-date=March 15, 2024 |work=USA TODAY}}</ref><ref name="Yurcaba Mar 14 2024" />

==== Advocacy groups ==== On February 19, LGBTQ advocacy group Freedom Oklahoma released a statement describing the reported incident that preceded Benedict's death as "a possible hate-motivated attack" while acknowledging "a still incomplete picture" of what happened, and offered information about support resources such as the Trans Lifeline, the Trevor Project, and the LGBT hotline.<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb" /><ref name="FreedomOKFebStatement">{{cite web |date=February 19, 2024 |title=Rest in power Nex Benedict |url=https://www.freedomoklahoma.org/news/nex-benedict |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220193942/https://www.freedomoklahoma.org/news/nex-benedict |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=Freedom Oklahoma}}</ref> The group linked the death of Benedict to Oklahoma laws and policies, and related rhetoric, including statements by Chaya Raichik on her Libs of TikTok social media accounts.<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb" /><ref name="themus2">{{Cite news |last=Monteil |first=Abby |date=February 20, 2024 |title=Nonbinary Teen Nex Benedict Dies After Being Attacked By Peers in a School Bathroom |url=https://www.them.us/story/nex-benedict-nonbinary-teen-oklahoma-died-attacked-at-school |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220211805/https://www.them.us/story/nex-benedict-nonbinary-teen-oklahoma-died-attacked-at-school |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=Them}}</ref><ref name="indy100Shuttleworth20Feb" /> The ACLU and Lambda Legal also condemned the legislative environment, including the recent passage of Oklahoma Bill 615, and said that it had led to Nex's death.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tammye |date=2024-02-20 |title=Lambda Legal, ACLU issue statement on death of Nex Benedict |url=https://dallasvoice.com/lambda-legal-aclu-issue-statement-on-death-of-nex-benedict/ |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=Dallas Voice |language=en-US |archive-date=April 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409003628/https://dallasvoice.com/lambda-legal-aclu-issue-statement-on-death-of-nex-benedict/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ring |first=Trudy |date=22 February 2024 |title=In Oklahoma, bathroom law endangers trans people |url=https://www.advocate.com/transgender/oklahoma-bathroom-law-dangers |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=www.advocate.com |language=en |archive-date=April 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409003628/https://www.advocate.com/transgender/oklahoma-bathroom-law-dangers |url-status=live }}</ref>

A February 28 open letter organized by the advocacy groups addressed to more than 350 local, state, and national organizations, as well as public figures, requested an investigation of the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the removal of Walters from his position, accusing him of allowing "rampant harassment" and creating an "environment that allows for hostility and harm."<ref>{{cite web |title=Justice for Nex Benedict – Letter to Oklahoma Legislature from 350+ Organizations |url=https://glaad.org/justice-for-nex-benedict-letter-from-350-organizations/ |website=GLAAD |access-date=February 29, 2024 |date=February 28, 2024 |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229025117/https://glaad.org/justice-for-nex-benedict-letter-from-350-organizations/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ring Feb 28, 2024">{{cite news |last1=Ring |first1=Trudy |title=350+ groups want Ryan Walters out after Nex Benedict's death |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/activists-demand-ryan-walters-removal |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=The Advocate |date=February 28, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229025117/https://www.advocate.com/news/activists-demand-ryan-walters-removal |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Alfonseca Feb 28 2024">{{cite news |last1=Alfonseca |first1=Kiara |date=February 28, 2024 |title=Oklahoma education superintendent under fire for anti-LGBTQ rhetoric after Nex Benedict's death |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/oklahoma-education-superintendent-ryan-walters-fire-anti-lgbtq/story?id=107626475 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229043300/https://abcnews.go.com/US/oklahoma-education-superintendent-ryan-walters-fire-anti-lgbtq/story?id=107626475 |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> Public figures who signed the letter include Kristin Chenoweth, Demi Lovato, Cynthia Nixon, k.d. lang, Jonathan Van Ness, Amy Schneider, Peppermint, Emma Roberts, and Tommy Dorfman.<ref name="Ring Feb 28, 2024" /> Walters described the letter as "a standard tactic of the radical left."<ref name="Henry Feb 28 2024">{{cite news |last1=Henry |first1=Lauren |title=Advocacy groups call for the removal of Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/advocacy-groups-call-for-the-removal-of-oklahoma-superintendent-ryan-walters-2slbgtq-nex-benedict-owasso-high-school-ok-state-department-of-education-freedom-oklahoma-demi-lovato-kristin-chenoweth |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=KTUL |date=February 28, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229040902/https://ktul.com/news/local/advocacy-groups-call-for-the-removal-of-oklahoma-superintendent-ryan-walters-2slbgtq-nex-benedict-owasso-high-school-ok-state-department-of-education-freedom-oklahoma-demi-lovato-kristin-chenoweth |url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 6, about six members of the anti-LGBT Westboro Baptist Church group held a demonstration outside of Owasso High School for about an hour, which was responded to by several hundred counterprotesters organized by local and national organizations including the Rainbow Youth Project.<ref name="Yurcaba Mar 7 2024" /><ref name="Wiggins Mar 5 2024">{{cite news |last1=Wiggins |first1=Christopher |date=March 5, 2024 |title=Parasol Patrol to disrupt OK Westboro Baptist Church protest |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/parasol-patrol-westboro-church-owasso |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313121755/https://www.advocate.com/news/parasol-patrol-westboro-church-owasso |archive-date=March 13, 2024 |access-date=March 15, 2024 |work=The Advocate |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Perry Mar 7 2024">{{cite news |last1=Perry |first1=Sophie |date=March 7, 2024 |title=Human 'barrier' formed to protect Nex Benedict's school from anti-LGBTQ protest |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/03/07/westboro-baptist-church-nex-benedict-lgbtq/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315210527/https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/03/07/westboro-baptist-church-nex-benedict-lgbtq/ |archive-date=March 15, 2024 |access-date=March 15, 2024 |work=PinkNews}}</ref><ref name="Bryan Mar 7 2024">{{cite news |last1=Bryan |first1=Max |date=March 7, 2024 |title=Protesters far outnumber Westboro demonstrators in Owasso |url=https://www.publicradiotulsa.org/local-regional/2024-03-07/protesters-far-outnumber-westboro-demonstrators-in-owasso |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315210534/https://www.publicradiotulsa.org/local-regional/2024-03-07/protesters-far-outnumber-westboro-demonstrators-in-owasso |archive-date=March 15, 2024 |access-date=March 15, 2024 |work=Public Radio Tulsa |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Henry |first1=Lauren |date=March 6, 2024 |title=Westboro Church's protest at Owasso High countered by LGBTQ+ supporters |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/westboro-churchs-protest-at-owasso-high-countered-by-lgbtq-supporters-nex-benedict-high-school-oklahoma-school-board-baptist-church-conservative-religious-group-parasol-patrol-homophobic-slurs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315210529/https://ktul.com/news/local/westboro-churchs-protest-at-owasso-high-countered-by-lgbtq-supporters-nex-benedict-high-school-oklahoma-school-board-baptist-church-conservative-religious-group-parasol-patrol-homophobic-slurs |archive-date=March 15, 2024 |access-date=March 15, 2024 |work=KTUL |language=en}}</ref>

A year after Benedict's death, Sarah Adams and Kendra Wilson Clements of Cousins, which supports Indigenous LGBTQ youth in Oklahoma, connected Nex's death to the ongoing problem of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) in an interview with ''Teen Vogue''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McMenamin |first=Lex |date=2025-02-11 |title=A Year Without Nex Benedict |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/nex-benedict-one-year |access-date=2026-02-24 |website=Teen Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Reactions to investigation === Kelley Robinson, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, released a statement after the release of the summary report that continued to call for investigation into Benedict's death, and said, "Nex was failed by so many and should still be here today," and expressed condolences to Benedict's family.<ref name="Yurcaba Mar 13 2024" /> Freedom Oklahoma released a statement that said, "We have a responsibility to acknowledge the role anti-trans policies and rhetoric continue to play," and the summary report "only further emphasizes the state of crisis our youth are in."<ref name="Hennessy-Fiske Mar13 2024" />

Ryan Walters, the Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction, released a statement that said, "The loss of our student in Owasso is tragic for the family, the community, and our state. The LGBTQ groups pushing a false narrative are one of the biggest threats to our democracy and I remain, more than ever, committed to never backing down from a woke mob."<ref name="Young Mar 13 2024" /> Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond posted a statement on X stating his "heart is broken" by Benedict's death, and "the Medical Examiner's finding of suicide makes me even more concerned that bullying played a role in this terrible loss."<ref name="Wendling 14 Mar 2024">{{cite news |last1=Wendling |first1=Mike |date=March 14, 2024 |title=Nex Benedict: Oklahoma teenager died by suicide, autopsy says |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68561120 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314064901/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68561120 |archive-date=March 14, 2024 |access-date=March 14, 2024 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

On March 13, Democratic Oklahoma state representative Mauree Turner said, "Whether or not it was a suicide, the rhetoric that we share on this House floor, the bills that we write - not even the bills that we pass - but the bills that we write, have a very detrimental effect on the youth of Oklahoma."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weber |first1=Andy |date=March 13, 2024 |title=State officials react to summary autopsy report ruling Nex Benedict's death suicide |url=https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-nex-benedict-autopsy-report-suicide-state-rep-mauree-turner-ryan-walters/60192658 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317170626/https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-nex-benedict-autopsy-report-suicide-state-rep-mauree-turner-ryan-walters/60192658 |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |access-date=March 17, 2024 |work=KOCO |language=en}}</ref> Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson released a statement that said, "I believe Nex Benedict's death is a direct result of a society and government that consistently pushes back and restricts their identity and those of other LGBTQ+ individuals. To LGBTQ+ people grappling with this tragedy, we see you and we are doing everything we can to stop the harmful legislation and policies that attack your existence."<ref name="Rose Mar 14 2024" /><ref name="Codutti Mar 14 2024">{{cite news |last1=Codutti |first1=Anna |date=March 14, 2024 |title=Nex Benedict 'should still be here with us', President Biden says |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/biden-nex-benedict-oklahoma-bullying/article_9b1f702a-e228-11ee-bc23-07bb6252a3f1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317175709/https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/biden-nex-benedict-oklahoma-bullying/article_9b1f702a-e228-11ee-bc23-07bb6252a3f1.html |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |access-date=March 17, 2024 |work=Tulsa World |language=en}}</ref> On March 14, a group of Republican members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives issued a statement that said, "The tragic suicide of Nex Benedict is a harsh reminder of the power that words have."<ref name="Rose Mar 14 2024">{{cite news |last1=Rose |first1=Justin Allen |date=March 14, 2024 |title=Oklahoma lawmakers issue joint statement over death of nonbinary Oklahoma teen |url=https://www.kswo.com/2024/03/14/oklahoma-lawmakers-issue-joint-statement-over-death-nonbinary-oklahoma-teen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317170626/https://www.kswo.com/2024/03/14/oklahoma-lawmakers-issue-joint-statement-over-death-nonbinary-oklahoma-teen/ |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |access-date=March 17, 2024 |work=KWSO |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Krehbiel |first1=Randy |date=March 16, 2024 |title=Bill targeting gay pride flags among LGBTQ+-related measures sidelined at Oklahoma Capitol |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/bill-targeting-gay-pride-flags-among-lgbtq--related-measures-sidelined-at-oklahoma-capitol/article_21859ee8-e2f4-11ee-9af8-9bb2511451ad.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317170626/https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/bill-targeting-gay-pride-flags-among-lgbtq--related-measures-sidelined-at-oklahoma-capitol/article_21859ee8-e2f4-11ee-9af8-9bb2511451ad.html |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |access-date=March 17, 2024 |work=Tulsa World |language=en}}</ref>

After the March 21 announcement by the DA's office, the Human Rights Campaign renewed its call for an independent investigation and said that Benedict had been failed by their school and elected officials, "who allowed a culture of bullying and harassment to grow unchecked."<ref name="Hennessy-Fiske Mar 22 2024">{{cite news |last1=Hennessy-Fiske |first1=Molly |date=March 22, 2024 |title=Prosecutors decline to press charges in Nex Benedict death in Oklahoma |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/03/21/nex-benedict-oklahoma-death-charges/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 22, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427140628/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/03/21/nex-benedict-oklahoma-death-charges/ |url-status=live }}</ref> GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis also called for an independent investigation, and stated, "Everyone from Superintendent Walters and Owasso high school to the unaccredited-since-2009 state medical examiner's office, the district attorney, and Owasso police department have failed Nex."<ref name="Bryan Mar 21 2024">{{cite news |last1=Bryan |first1=Max |date=March 21, 2024 |title=Tulsa County prosecutor won't pursue charges in Owasso teenager's death |url=https://www.kosu.org/local-news/2024-03-21/tulsa-county-prosecutor-wont-pursue-charges-in-owasso-teenagers-death |access-date=March 22, 2024 |work=KOSU |language=en |archive-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322010809/https://www.kosu.org/local-news/2024-03-21/tulsa-county-prosecutor-wont-pursue-charges-in-owasso-teenagers-death |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Oladipo Mar 22 2024">{{cite news |last1=Oladipo |first1=Gloria |date=March 22, 2024 |title=Nex Benedict: outrage as no criminal charges filed over school bathroom fight |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/22/nex-benedict-death-no-charges |access-date=March 22, 2024 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322155138/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/22/nex-benedict-death-no-charges |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Aston Mar 22 2024">{{cite news |last1=Aston |first1=Alexia |date=March 22, 2024 |title=LGBTQ+ advocates denounce DA's decision to not file charges in Nex Benedict's death |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/03/22/lgbtq-advocates-react-to-das-decision-to-not-file-charges-in-nex-benedicts-death/73064878007/ |access-date=March 22, 2024 |work=The Oklahoman |archive-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322155327/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/03/22/lgbtq-advocates-react-to-das-decision-to-not-file-charges-in-nex-benedicts-death/73064878007/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Nicole McAfree of Freedom Oklahoma responded to Kunzweiler's use of Benedict's birth name, stating that "A statement that deadnames a trans victim as its opening sentence is one that clearly indicates the brand of justice doled out by DA Kunzweiler's office{{snd}} one that does not include or respect Two Spirit, transgender, or gender nonconforming+ (2STGNC+) people."<ref name="Hennessy-Fiske Mar 22 2024" /><ref name="Aston Mar 22 2024" />

In response to the release of the full report, the president of the Human Rights Campaign stated, "The full report does little to fill in the gaps in information about that day or the more than a year of bullying and harassment that led up to it."<ref name="Hennessy-Fiske Mar 27 2024" /><ref name="auto1" /> Freedom Oklahoma asked Oklahoma lawmakers to oppose anti-LGBTQ laws, and said "the very least we can do in Nex's memory is demonstrate our commitment to building a better world that makes it impossible for this heartbreaking tragedy to happen again."<ref name="Yurcaba Mar 27 2024" />

=== Others === Shortly after Benedict's death, Judith Butler spoke about transgender rights and Benedict's death in an interview with ''Teen Vogue'':<ref name="Butler-TV">{{Cite web |last=McMenamin |first=Lex |date=2024-03-29 |title=Judith Butler Isn't Afraid of Gender — They're Calling Out Who Is |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/judith-butler-new-book-interview |access-date=2026-02-24 |website=Teen Vogue}}</ref> {{Blockquote|text="People who have skepticism about trans issues, they have to allow themselves to be transformed by what they hear. [...] About the Nex thing, I remember being bullied in that bathroom. I remember being pushed up against the wall in that bathroom, and I thought, These girls are much bigger than me and I don't stand a chance here. There was something about that Nex Benedict thing, it really got to me."}}

== See also == {{Portal|LGBTQ}} * {{annotated link|2020s anti-LGBTQ movement in the United States}} * {{annotated link|History of violence against LGBTQ people in the United States}} * {{annotated link|Violence against LGBTQ people}} * {{annotated link|Suicide among LGBTQ youth}} * {{annotated link|List of suicides of LGBTQ people}} * {{annotated link|List of suicides attributed to bullying}}

== Notes == {{Reflist|group=note}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * [https://slate.com/human-interest/2024/03/nex-benedict-transmasculine-connection.html Looking at Nex] (Evan Urquhart, ''Slate'', March 9, 2024) * [https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2024/03/12/school-lgbtq-hate-crimes-incidents/ In states with laws targeting LGBTQ issues, school hate crimes quadrupled] (''The Washington Post'', March 13, 2024, access restricted to subscribers) * [https://www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/post-reports/nex-benedict-and-the-rising-threat-to-lgbtq-kids/ Nex Benedict and the rising threat to LGBTQ kids] (''The Washington Post'' (''Post Reports'' podcast), March 20, 2024)

{{Transgender topics|state=expanded}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Benedict, Death of Nex}} Category:2020s anti-LGBTQ movement in the United States Category:2024 controversies in the United States Category:2024 in LGBTQ history Category:2024 in Oklahoma Category:2024 suicides Category:2024 deaths Category:Adolescence in the United States Category:Bullying and suicide Category:Bullying in the United States Category:Deaths by person in Oklahoma Category:Drug-related suicides in Oklahoma Category:February 2024 in the United States Category:LGBTQ history in Oklahoma Category:Native American history of Oklahoma Category:Restrooms in the United States Category:School violence Category:Transgender history in the United States Category:Violence against children in the United States Category:Violence against LGBTQ people in the United States Category:Violence against transgender people Category:Youth suicides in the United States Category:Transgender-related suicides Category:LGBTQ people who died by suicide Category:LGBTQ-related education controversies Category:LGBTQ youth in the United States Category:Students who died by suicide