JUST IN: Oklahoma trans student Nex Benedict’s death ruled a suicide by medical examiner

The cause of death for Owasso, Oklahoma sophomore student Dagny "Nex" Benedict has been reported by an initial medical examiner's report as suicide. Benedict had been in a fight with girls at her school in the school bathroom and died the next day.

A toxicology report from the medical examiner's office showed that "the probable cause of death resulted from Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine combined toxicity." The report from the medical examiner's officer was not released until the toxicology report had been completed. 

"From the beginning of this investigation, Owasso Police observed many indications that this death was the result of suicide," a statement from the police said. "However, investigators did not wish to confirm that information without the final results being presented by the Oklahoma Medical Examiners Office. The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s report has now been made public. The Owasso Police Department would like to take this moment to inform anyone in crisis or contemplating suicide of the Oklahoma Mental Health Lifeline, just call or text 988."

The Owasso Police Department had previously said that Benedict's death was not a result of trauma or injuries sustained during the altercation. "Owasso Police say their investigation revealed the death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict was not related to their injuries after the physical altercation at the school," the statement from officers read on February 21.

"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. At this time, any further comments on the cause of death are currently pending until toxicology results and other ancillary testing results are received. The official autopsy report will be available at a later date."

Benedict was the focus of many protests and vigils from activists claiming that Benedict was bullied and killed for being trans. The events were held by LGBTQ activists as well as Antifa, and portrayed Benedict as a trans non-binary martyr. Calls for greater acceptance of trans persons followed. 

The family confirmed that Benedict also went by Nex. Benedict died after going to the hospital on Feb. 8, the day after the altercation at school. Benedict had been interviewed by officers on Feb. 7, when attending the hospital after the fight. The fight involved other girls. 

Benedict had said that she hadn't known the girls prior to that week, and that she and her friends had been bullied for their clothes and the way they dressed. Benedict told police, per body cam footage, that she had approached the girls in the bathroom and poured water on them. 

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