Nonbinary Student’s Death Under Investigation Following Altercation in Owasso, Oklahoma
Tragedy struck in Owasso, Oklahoma, as investigators launched an inquiry into the death of a nonbinary student following a physical altercation with fellow students. The incident occurred on February 8, and the Owasso Police recently shared an update on the ongoing investigation. The authorities revealed that a complete autopsy was conducted on the deceased student by the medical examiner, which did not indicate trauma as the cause of death. However, further information regarding the cause of death is pending until toxicology results and additional testing are received.
The identity of the student involved remains uncertain due to conflicting reports on their name and gender. Nevertheless, it is believed that they were part of the transgender and gender nonconforming community. In an interview with The Independent, the student’s mother, Sue Benedict, identified them as Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old. Sue Benedict disclosed that Nex and another student had engaged in a fight with three older girls in a bathroom. It is yet to be determined whether their gender identity played a role in the altercation.
According to Sue Benedict, Nex had been subjected to months of bullying by other students. The Independent report corroborated the claims made by Nex’s mother, highlighting that the bullying had followed state legislative policies targeting the transgender community. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has signed bills enforcing bathroom use based on assigned sex at birth, prohibiting nonbinary gender markers on IDs, limiting gender-affirming care, and banning transgender girls from participating in girls’ sports in the name of fairness.
The tragic incident took place at Owasso High School, prompting school officials to issue a statement on their website. They revealed that the physical altercation lasted less than two minutes before it was broken up by other students and a supervising staff member. The student involved was then taken to a local hospital for treatment. The following day, they were rushed back to the hospital and sadly pronounced dead.
Authorities are actively investigating the incident and plan to interview school staff and students over the next two weeks. The findings will be submitted to the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution review. It remains unclear whether the student’s death is directly related to the altercation at the school.
Nex Benedict’s mother expressed remorse for not using their name correctly, stating that they were still learning. She pleaded for understanding, urging people not to judge them as Nex had been judged and not to bully them for their ignorance on the subject. In light of this tragedy, local LGBTQ organizations are demanding accountability from those who have promoted anti-transgender rhetoric, which they believe may have contributed to the attack on Nex and the other student involved.
Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and the ACLU of Oklahoma released a joint statement condemning the assault on Nex. They attributed the incident to hateful rhetoric and discriminatory legislation targeting Oklahoma’s transgender youth. The organizations called for a thorough and open investigation into the matter, expressing deep concern over reports that the school failed to respond appropriately to the altercation preceding Nex’s death.
The Owasso school district has been contacted for comment but has yet to respond. Meanwhile, advocacy group Freedom Oklahoma reached out to the community affected by this tragedy, acknowledging the harm caused by anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. They emphasized the need to address and combat growing discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, particularly among younger individuals who face such sentiments more frequently.
Law enforcement researchers have noted a surge in anti-LGBTQ violence in recent years, coinciding with an increase in anti-LGBTQ sentiment from conservative politicians. Activists hope that Nex Benedict will be remembered not only for their tragic death but also for their love of rock music and their unfailingly kind nature. They were someone who always sought the best in people and often bonded with others over headbanging, according to Freedom Oklahoma.
As the investigation into this heartbreaking incident continues, it serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for greater acceptance, understanding, and protection of transgender and nonbinary individuals in our society. The loss of Nex Benedict is a stark example of the devastating consequences that discrimination and bullying can have on young lives.