OK Medical Examiner: Nex Benedict Died By Suicide

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Oklahoma has concluded that 16-year-old transgender student Nex Benedict died of suicide last month as a result of ingesting a lethal amount of antihistamines and antidepressants. Benedict’s passing came one day after a physical altercation in a school restroom with three other students. Following the altercation, a school resources officer interviewed Benedict at the ER, who said they’d been the target of bullying and harassment for months. https://twitter.com/NewsOn6/status/1768007887371084174 According to News On 6 in Tulsa, the medical examiner’s report identifies the cause of death as “Diphenhydramine Fluoxetine combined toxicity.” Diphenhydramine is commonly known as Benedryl and used to treat allergies. Fluoxetine, also known as Prozac, is widely prescribed to treat depression and anxiety. Note: The medical examiner’s office has acknowledged Benedict’s preferred name was Nex, but stated that the report uses their legal first name of Dagney. Oklahoma’s Attorney General Gentner Drummond posted this statement on X, (formerly known as Twitter) expressing concerns that bullying played a major role.:

My heart is broken over the tragic death of Nex Benedict. The Medical Examiner’s finding of suicide makes me even more concerned that bullying played a role in this terrible loss.

Experts tell us that social media, bullying, and a host of other factors are fueling a rash of suicides among young people, particularly for marginalized and traumatized youth. Combating this problem likely means strengthening laws against bullying, as well as increasing emphasis on mental health services.

Perhaps most immediately it means rejecting the cruelty of words and actions so often inflicted by other students, adults, and algorithms on our youngest generations.

https://twitter.com/Okla_OAG/status/1768025536113131806 The full medical examiner’s report will be released on 03/27/2024. More from The Advocate:

On February 7, Benedict was assaulted in a school bathroom. Later, Benedict’s grandmother took him to a hospital where body-worn video from an Owasso Police Officer revealed that the teenager had been bullied relentlessly for their gender expression before the assault.

The following day, Benedict was in distress at home and taken to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Benedict’s death has highlighted the critical need for increased awareness and resources dedicated to the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth.

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