Family Shares Details from Autopsy Report to Prevent Misinformation
Nex Benedict’s family has released a statement through their attorney regarding the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s findings on the alleged cause of death of Nex Benedict. The family has released details from the full report that they want the public to know in an attempt to prevent “incomplete accounts to take hold and spread any further.”
The summary report that we obtained from the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirms that the full report was released only to the family and law enforcement to give them time to review it privately. It states that the full autopsy report must be “withheld from public inspection and copying for ten business days” or until March 27, 2024.”
The Benedict Family statement refutes the simple conclusion that their child Nex died from suicide. It seeks “to ensure that other pertinent portions of the report are not overshadowed by the ‘classification’ of Nex’s death.” The 2STGNC+ (Two Spirit, transgender, gender nonconforming+) 16-year-old student of Choctaw heritage who attended Owasso High School died the next day after they were attacked by three other students in a bathroom and beaten.
The school did not follow established legal procedures to call the police to report the fight or take the steps to call an ambulance. The local police officer who questioned Benedict when she was taken to the hospital by a family member attempted to downplay the school’s failure and tried to convince Nex and their parent not to press charges.
The statement reads, “With each passing day, the numerous ongoing investigations surrounding Nex’s untimely passing yield additional information. Yesterday, a summary report from the Medical Examiner was released, simply stating that Nex’s death was caused by suicide.
As the media and public await the release of the full report, the Benedicts want to ensure other pertinent portions of the report are not overshadowed by the “classification” of Nex’s death. Rather than allow incomplete accounts to take hold and spread any further, the Benedicts feel compelled to provide a summary of those findings that have not yet been released by the Medical Examiner’s office, particularly those that contradict allegations of the assault on Nex being insignificant.
As outlined in the full report, the Medical Examiner found numerous areas of physical trauma over Nex’s body that evidence the severity of the assault. Specifically, the report notes:
II. No lethal trauma.
A. Head and neck: Two contusions, right orbital region; right scleral hemorrhage; two lacerations (1/4 inch, cach); right check and right external car, two abrasions, right external ear and left cheek.
1. Scalp and subgaleal hemorrhages.
B. Torso: Abrasion, right upper chest, abraded contusion, central chest
1. The abraded contusion of the central chest and an anterior atrial ecchymosis/contusion are consistent with having occurred during cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts.
C. Extremities: Scattered asynchronous abrasions and contusions. 1. Multiple healing linear injuries and scars, posterior left hand.
The Benedicts continue to call on our schools, administrators, lawmakers, and communities to come together to prevent any other family from having to suffer through the heartache now borne by Nex’s loved ones. Reforms that create school environments built upon the pillars of respect, inclusion, and grace and aim to eliminate bullying and hate are the types of change that all involved should be able to rally behind.
Nex’s family continues to be overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. Your cards, letters, emails, donations, vigils, and offers of assistance will never be forgotten and continue to give the Benedicts strength and comfort throughout this difficult time.
