Final autopsy results show that Nex Benedict, a non-binary teenager, left a handwritten note “suggesting self-inflicted harm” before killing himself, and that she also suffered a head injury from a fight at school the day before. However, it was determined that there were “no fatal injuries.”
A first page summary published earlier this month said the 16-year-old boy’s death was suicide due to “combined toxicity” caused by a combination of antidepressants and antihistamines.
A full report released Wednesday said “no fatal injuries were found” despite several head injuries, including bruises, lacerations, abrasions and bleeding. According to the Washington Post.
Pathologist Dr. Ross Miller said Benedict, who used they/them pronouns, also suffered non-life-threatening injuries to his neck, torso and extremities.
The student overdosed on February 8, a day after getting into an argument with three female students inside a bathroom at Owasso High School in Oklahoma and becoming the target of bullies over his gender identity, his family said.
“The manner of death is not a determination of legal responsibility or intentionality, as such determinations are outside the scope of the coroner’s role,” Miller wrote. According to The Oklahoman.
A full autopsy report states the boy suffered from “bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, self-harm (cutting), chronic tobacco abuse, and chronic marijuana abuse.” There is.
“A handwritten note suggesting self-inflicted harm was found in the deceased’s room by the family and provided to law enforcement,” the 11-page report said, according to the Washington Post.
Last week, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler announced that no charges would be filed in connection with Benedict’s death or the fight that preceded it.
He described the altercation as one of “mutual combat.”
Benedict’s family said he had been bullied for being non-binary and disputed previous findings that his death was a suicide.
According to the newspaper, they hired attorney Jacob Bibby to issue a statement from the family citing passages from the full autopsy report that “contradicted claims that the assault on Nex was minor.” Ta.
“The coroner found numerous physical injuries on Nex’s body indicative of the severity of the assault,” the statement said, arguing that a verdict of suicide should not “cover up” the wounds.
Bibby and school spokesperson Jordan Koufage declined to comment to The Washington Post on Wednesday.
LGBTQ rights groups are calling for an external investigation into the death.
“No report absolves leaders of their failures,” Nicole McAfee, executive director of Freedom Oklahoma, told the publication.
“Nex Benedict must still be alive and the least we can do in Nex’s memory is to take urgent action to address the continuing hostile school environment.” she stated.
The Human Rights Campaign filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, which is investigating allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination within the school district.
The national group also called on the department to investigate Ryan Walters, the state superintendent of schools who opposes LGBTQ rights, and his department.
“The full report does little to fill in the gaps in information about that day and more than a year of bullying and harassment leading up to it. It does not answer the questions of many people in Oklahoma and across the country.” said human rights campaigner Kelly Robinson.
She noted that the autopsy report “does not change the fact that Oklahoma’s LGTBQ+ students are not safe in schools,” according to the Washington Post.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or visit the following link: SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
