Nex Benedict's family dispute medical examiner's suicide ruling and say non-binary teenager suffered 'physical trauma' from beating

The family of Nex Benedict who passed away a day after being attacked at school are disputing a medical examiner's ruling the non binary teenager died by suicide.

Benedict's relatives issued a statement following the partial release of the teen's autopsy saying the full report shows they suffered clear signs of 'physical trauma'.

'The Benedicts feel compelled to provide a summary of those findings which have not yet been released by the Medical Examiner's office, particularly those that contradict the allegations of the assault on Nex being significant,' the family said through their attorney. 

'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.' 

Nex, 16, died on February 8, just a day after sustaining head trauma in a bathroom fight in Owasso High School, Oklahoma. 

The family of Nex Benedict who passed away a day after being attacked at school are disputing a medical examiner's ruling the non binary teenager died by suicide 

The Oklahoma Medical Examiner's report said Benedict's death was caused by a combined overdose of Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine the day after they were hospitalized from a fight

Their death became a rallying point for trans and LGBT activists across the country - and several vigils were organized to remember the student

Their family highlighted several injuries listed on the Medical Examiner's full report including abrasions, lacerations and swelling on Nex's head, torso and extremities.

On Wednesday, the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's report said Benedict's death was caused by a combined overdose of Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine and ruled it a suicide.

Police also subsequently released a statement which confirmed their preliminary investigation pointed towards suicide.

'From the beginning of this investigation, Owasso Police observed many indications that this death was the result of suicide,' they said in a statement.

'However, investigators did not wish to confirm that information without the final results being presented by the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office.'

But the Benedicts said they released the additional details, 'to ensure other pertinent portions of the report are not overshadowed by the "classification" of Nex's death.'

The teen's biological grandmother and legal guardian, Sue Benedict, told The Independent that her child had been repeatedly bullied by various students for over a year due to their non-binary identity.

Nex's death became a rallying point for trans and LGBT activists across the country - and several vigils and walk-outs were organized to remember the student. 

Benedict's relatives issued a statement following the partial release of the teen's autopsy saying the full report shows they suffered clear signs of 'physical trauma' 

'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,' the statement added.

The family also revealed they had been 'overwhelmed by the outpouring of support' in the form of cards, letters, donations and vigils. 

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.'

Bodycam footage of an interview conducted with Nex by police after the altercation showed the teen explaining how the fight began after girls in the bathroom were ridiculing them.

In retaliation, Nex said they threw water over one of the girls before they were 'jumped'. 

Sue said: 'Those girls started everything from the get go.'

Nex described in text to their family what happened before being taken to the hospital before they died.

Oklahoma non-binary Nex Benedict reportedly died by suicide from a drug overdose, not from injuries sustained in a school fight, according to the medical examiner

People chant during a vigil for the death of Nex Benedict outside Stonewall Inn in New York

A walkout for Nex Benedict at Owasso High School on Monday, February 26

'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.'

Following their death, a GoFundMe was set up for the family which has so far raised $165,000.

Sue 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'.

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