LGBTQ+ advocates demand answers after death of Oklahoma teen

By Andy Rose | CNN

A 16-year-old student died following a fight at an Oklahoma high school – and as an investigation into the cause of death continues, advocates point to a heightened and hostile climate against the LGBTQ+ community.

Nex Benedict, whose family says identified as nonbinary, died February 8, one day after they told their family they and a transgender student were involved in a fight with others at Owasso High School. Police in Owasso are investigating.

Sue Benedict, Nex’s guardian and biological grandmother, told The Independent Nex was badly beaten during the fight with three older girls in a bathroom at the school and hit their head on the floor. Benedict said Nex had experienced bullying at the school, but added, “I didn’t know how bad it had gotten.”

“I said, ‘You’ve got to be strong and look the other way, because these people don’t know who you are,’” Benedict told The Independent.

Owasso police confirmed in a statement the student was “rushed back to a hospital” the day after the incident and pronounced dead.

The police department told CNN their investigation is underway, and they will not release more information on the case until the medical examiner’s office has determined a cause of death. CNN confirmed the medical examiner’s report is not yet complete.

“It is not known at this time if this latest medical incident is related to the previous incident or not,” Owasso police said, referring to the altercation at the school. The department also said, “No report of the fight was made to Owasso Police prior to the notification at the hospital.”

Nex was a 10th grader and used they/them pronouns, according to their family. “Nex did not see themselves as male or female,” Benedict told The Independent. CNN has reached out to the family for comment.