GLAAD Demands More Answers After Nex Benedict Cause of Death Announced

GLAAD, the well-known LGBTQ+ advocacy group, is demanding answers after a medical examiner ruled the death of nonbinary high school student Nex Benedict a suicide.

The Context

The death of Benedict—who died one day after a fight inside an Oklahoma high school restroom last month—has ignited a wave of outrage on social media where people have called for justice for the teen. Numerous people have criticized the state's transgender bathroom ban, blaming the law for the violent altercation the day before Benedict's death.

Benedict, whose family said had used they and them pronouns, faced months of bullying in school leading up to the restroom altercation, according to the teen's mother.

After the bullying erupted into the February 7 fight, Benedict was suspended and went to a local medical facility where the teen and family reported the altercation before being released that same day. It was unclear what testing and treatment Benedict received at the time.

The teen collapsed and died on February 8, according to local police, who said at the time that investigators did not believe injuries sustained in the fight caused their death.

What We Know

Bendict's death was ruled a suicide, the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office announced on Wednesday. A summary autopsy report indicated that the 16-year-old had high levels of two drugs in their system and overdosed. A complete autopsy will be released in 10 days, according to the medical examiner.

The teenager had been found with a "combined toxicity" of diphenhydramine, which is an antihistamine commonly used for allergies, and a drug that is often used to treat depression called fluoxetine.

In response to the news of the summary autopsy, GLAAD criticized the report and demanded answers.

Newsweek reached out via email on Wednesday night to GLAAD and the medical examiner's office for comment.

Views

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement that the autopsy report didn't provide enough information and failed to answer questions.

"There is nothing in this one page document to explain why the medical examiner checked a box," Ellis said. "Media must have learned by now that they need to continue to question what they get from law enforcement and government entities in Oklahoma that have so far failed to protect vulnerable students and responsibly provide any information that is critical for student safety. Nex Benedict's family and the entire state of Oklahoma deserve far more answers and accountability from those charged with keeping Nex and all youth safe."

In her statement, Ellis also blasted state policies and said that LGBTQ+ students in Oklahoma deserve to live "free from state-sponsored bullying and discrimination."

Human Rights Campaign (HRC), an LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, also responded to the summary autopsy report and pushed for a "full and complete investigation."

"Nex died one day after being beaten unconscious in a school bathroom, and following more than a year of bullying and harassment at school," HRC wrote in an online statement on Wednesday. "This is heartbreaking. And we have heard from so many parents and students that this culture of bullying and harassment is both pervasive at Owasso Public Schools and that many within the school had actual knowledge that it was occurring and took no steps to fix it. We reiterate our call for a full and complete investigation. Young people in Oklahoma and across the country deserve to be safe and respected at school."

While Oklahoma schools Superintendent Ryan Walters called the death of Benedict "tragic," he slammed the advocacy groups in a statement to local station KOCO-TV.

"The loss of our student in Owasso is tragic for the family, the community, and our state," Walters said in a statement. "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."

Newsweek reached out via email to Walters for comment on Wednesday.

What's Next?

A complete autopsy will be released on March 27, in accordance with state law, the medical examiner's office told Newsweek in an email on Thursday.

After the president of HRC filed a complaint against Owasso Public Schools over Benedict's death, the U.S. Department of Education announced earlier this month an investigation into whether the school district "failed to appropriately respond to alleged harassment."

If you or someone you know needs help, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988.

Update 03/16/24, 10:15 p.m. ET: This article was updated to include additional information.