Family of Oklahoma non-binary Nex Benedict launch their own investigation after cops say teen did not die of head injuries

The family of the Oklahoma non-binary Nex Benedict is launching their own investigation after autopsy results revealed the teen did not die from injuries sustained in a school fight.

The student's mother, Sue Benedict, told The Independent Monday that her child has been repeatedly bullied by various students for over a year due to their non-binary identity. 

‘Nex was attacked and assaulted in a bathroom by a group of other students. A day later, the Benedict’s beautiful child lost their life,’ the family said in a statement. 

Nex, 16, who was born Dagny, died on Feb. 8, just a day after sustaining head trauma in a bathroom fight in Owasso High School, Oklahoma. 

Police have since declared the 16-year-old did not die as a result of those injuries but they have not clarified the cause of death.

Oklahoma teenager Nex, 16, died on February 8 after they were savagely attacked in a restroom at Owasso Public High School the day before, according to the youngster's family

Now messages Nex sent to a family member after the fight, shared by Fox23, reveal that the teenager tried to stand up to their bullies

'At this time, any further comments on the cause of death are currently pending until toxicology results and other ancillary testing results are received,' police said. 

'The official autopsy report will be available at a later date,' Owasso police said on Wednesday night. 

The police statement after Nex described in text to her family what happened, before being taken to the hospital before she died.  

'I got jumped at school. 3 on 1, had to go to the ER,' Nex wrote, adding: 'They had been bullying me and my friends and I got tired of it so I poured some water on them and all 3 came after me. School did not report to police.'

Officers investigating Nex's death said that they were called to the hospital by the teen's family at around 3pm on February 7, but that no 911 call had been made by the school.

Nex was asked by the family member whether they were OK and the teen replied saying they were 'all good' and had some scrapes and bruises. They also added: 'If I'm dizzy or nauseous in the morning I might have a concussion.'

Sue Benedict, Nex's biological grandmother and legal guardian, revealed that Nex was beaten by three older girls after they were bullied for a year. 

Benedict told the Independent that Nex was badly beaten during the fight, which she said involved Nex being knocked to the ground and hitting their head, and suffered bruises over their face and eyes as well as scratches at the back of their head.

Friends said Benedict went by the name 'Nex.' The teen was described as a nature lover and keen cook who adored their pet cat Zeus

Nex Benedict (pictured) passed away in hospital on February 8, a day after the alleged fight

She also said she was aware Nex, who she said saw themselves as neither male or female, was bullied for being gender fluid but that she 'didn't know how bad it had gotten'. 

The teen's guardian, Benedict, described her child as a straight-A student, animal lover and a talented cook during a  funeral service held on Thursday.

'I was so proud of Nex. They were going some place, they were so free,' she said.

Benedict said Nex had been bullied since the start of the 2023 school year, just months after Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt signed a bathroom ban bill, stipulating students must use the bathroom which aligns with their biological sex.

The incident reportedly involved the teen's head being repeatedly smashed on the floor of the school's restroom

The teen's mom said Nex had been bullied since the start of the 2023 school year, just months after Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt signed a bathroom ban bill, stipulating students must use the bathroom which aligns with their biological sex 

An obituary described the teen's love of nature and 'caring' disposition, especially towards beloved cat Zeus.

'[Nex] enjoyed a variety of pastimes such as watching the Walking Dead, drawing, reading and playing Ark and Minecraft,' the notice read. 

The teen is survived by her grandparents Sue and Walter Benedict, as well as four sisters, two brothers and a niece and nephew, according to the obituary.

A GoFundMe has also been set up to help the family cover funeral costs. 

In a statement Owasso Public Schools said that 'students were in the restroom for less than two minutes and the physical altercation was broken up by other students who were present in the restroom at the time, along with a staff member who was supervising outside of the restroom'.

An obituary described the teen's love of nature and 'caring' disposition, especially towards beloved cat Zeus 

In a statement to local media Owasso Public Schools said it could not comment amid an ongoing investigation

It added: 'Following district protocols, each of the students involved in the altercation was given a health assessment by a district registered nurse. 

'Per district protocols, students needing further support are transported to a medical facility either by ambulance or by a parent/guardian, depending on the severity of the injuries and preference of the parent/guardian.

'While it was determined that ambulance service was not required, out of an abundance of caution, it was recommended to one parent that their student visit a medical facility for further examination.

'Per district protocols, the parents/guardians of students involved in a physical altercation are notified and informed of the option to file a police report should they choose. 

'Should they choose to file a police report, school resource officers are made available to the parents/guardians either at that time or they can schedule an appointment, if they choose, at a later date. These practices were followed during this incident.'