The report, released on Wednesday, revealed that Benedict had overdosed on Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and Fluoxetine (Prozac). The student's death on February 8, a day after a reported school bathroom altercation, had initially been attributed to anti-LGBTQ hate.
Benedict's death had been seized upon by politicians and activists, who sought to highlight it as a tragic consequence of anti-trans hate. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) had expressed her grief over the incident, stating, "The killing of Nex Benedict is gut-wrenching and underscores the danger of extremists who are dehumanizing kids with anti-trans hate in Oklahoma and across the country. Every student should feel safe at school and supported for who they are. Nex deserves justice."
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However, the narrative of Benedict as a victim began to unravel when police bodycam footage revealed that she had initiated the bathroom fight. According to the transcript of the bodycam video reported by KOTV-TV, Benedict admitted to pouring water on a group of girls for mocking her and her friends, and subsequently throwing one of them into a paper towel dispenser.
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The Biden administration has announced that it is investigating Owasso Public Schools following a complaint from the LGBTQ group Human Rights Campaign. The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights has opened an investigation into the complaint, which alleges that the school district failed to respond appropriately to sex-based harassment during the 2023-2024 school year.
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In response to the coroner's report, State Representative Mauree Turner (D) announced a march on the Capitol in Oklahoma City. Turner held the state of Oklahoma accountable for Benedict's death, stating, "Whether or not it was a suicide or homicide – The state of Oklahoma absolutely is responsible for the death of Nex Benedict. From Ryan Walters, to school officials, to members of the Oklahoma Legislature. We failed Nex and continue to fail students like Nex when these leaders* remain in power."
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Benedict's family released an obituary that read, "Dagny Ellis Benedict was born on January 11, 2008, in El Paso, Texas. She passed from this life on Thursday, February 8, 2024, in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 16 years. Dagny was raised and educated in Owasso, Oklahoma and was currently enrolled as a student at Owasso High School. She had a love of nature and caring for cats but particularly loved her cat, Zeus. Dagny enjoyed a variety of past times such as watching the Walking Dead, drawing, reading, and playing Ark and Minecraft."
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Benedict is survived by her parents, four sisters, and two brothers. The tragic incident has sparked a renewed debate on the safety and acceptance of LGBTQ students in schools, with advocates calling for more stringent measures to protect these vulnerable individuals.
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