The state released an initial report Wednesday on the death of Owasso teen Nex Benedict.
According to a summary from the chief medical examiner’s office, Benedict likely died by suicide after consuming two different types of medication. The report says Benedict died at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa on Feb. 8 around 4:30 p.m.
The Owasso Police Department posted a statement on social media shortly after the medical examiner's announcement.
“From the beginning of this investigation, Owasso Police observed many indications that this death was the result of suicide,” the statement reads. “However, investigators did not wish to confirm that information without the final results being presented by the Oklahoma Medical Examiners Office.”
The 16-year-old Owasso High School’s student’s passing has been the subject of intense attention since last month. Benedict identified as nonbinary and, according to family, struggled with bullying at school.
One day before Nex’s death, the teenager was suspended for getting into a fight in a school bathroom.
Owasso community members previously told Public Radio Tulsa that, ultimately, bullying is what caused Benedict’s death.
Oklahoma's Attorney General responded on X (formerly Twitter), largely agreeing with that assessment.
"My heart is broken over the tragic death of Nex Benedict," Drummond wrote. "The Medical Examiner’s finding of suicide makes me even more concerned that bullying played a role in this terrible loss."
The medical examiner says a full report will be released March 27.
KOSU News Director Robby Korth contributed to this report.
