Biden says he's 'heartbroken' by death of Nex Benedict: President says nonbinary teen who killed themselves 'should still be here' and 'just wanted to be accepted'

President Joe Biden said Thursday that he and first lady Jill Biden were 'heartbroken' over the death of nonbinary teenager Nex Benedict, whose death was ruled a suicide in an autopsy report Wednesday. 

On February 7, Benedict was beaten up in the high school women's bathroom, where they reportedly 'blacked out' amid the assault, however no police report was filed until the Oklahoma teen was taken to the hospital by their family hours after the altercation. 

The next day Benedict's family called 911 and rushed them to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead. 

A medical examiner's report found that the 16-year-old had died from the 'combined toxicity' of the allergy medication diphenhydramine and common anxiety drug fluoxetine. 

'Nex Benedict, a kid who just wanted to be accepted, should still be here with us today,' Biden said. 

President Joe Biden (right) is captured arriving in Michigan Thursday for a campaign appearance in Saginaw. Earlier he sent out a statement saying he and first lady Jill Biden were 'heartbroken' over the death of non-binary teenager Nex Benedict, which was ruled a suicide

On Wednesday, the medical examiner said 16-year-old Nex Benedict died from a combination of allergy and anxiety medication a day after they were brutally assaulted in their high school women's room 

'Every young person deserves to have the fundamental right and freedom to be who they are, and feel safe and supported at school and in their communities,' the president also said. 

Members of the LGBTQ community and allies were outraged that officials at Owasso High School in Owasso, Oklahoma had not made the police aware of the assault until Benedict was taken to the hospital by their family. 

Benedict's mother told The Independent that the school had instead informed her that the 16-year-old would be suspended for two weeks. 

The student's mother also said that Benedict had started being bullied at the start of the 2023 school year - after the state's Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill that required public school students use the bathroom of the sex listed on their birth certificates. 

Benedict's death comes at a time when transgender Americans have come under attack by Republicans, from presidential candidates on down. 

Both former President Donald Trump and his ex-rival Nikki Haley complained about trans athletes participating in women's sports. 

Republicans have also pushed states to ban gender-affirming surgeries for minors. 

Biden and the Democrats have discouraged politicizing trans issues.  

'Nonbinary and transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know. But nobody should have to be brave just to be themselves,' Biden said. 

'In memory of Nex, we must all recommit to our work to end discrimination and address the suicide crisis impacting too many nonbinary and transgender children,' the president continued. 'Bullying is hurtful and cruel, and no one should face the bullying that Nex did.'

The president encouraged that both parents and schools 'take reports of bullying seriously.' 

'My prayers are with Nex’s family, friends, and all who loved them – and to all LGBTQI+ Americans for whom this tragedy feels so personal, know this: I will always have your back,' the president affirmed.