ME lists manner of death for 16-year-old nonbinary student Nex Benedict as suicide
The summary autopsy report from the medical examiner's office lists the probable cause of death as Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine combined toxicity
The summary autopsy report from the medical examiner's office lists the probable cause of death as Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine combined toxicity
The summary autopsy report from the medical examiner's office lists the probable cause of death as Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine combined toxicity
The Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office has ruled the manner of death of 16-year-old nonbinary Owasso High School student Nex Benedict a suicide.
The summary autopsy report from the medical examiner's office lists the probable cause of death as Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine combined toxicity. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine to relieve allergies, and Fluoxetine is an antidepressant.
The medical examiner in the report ruled the manner of death as suicide. It's unknown how much Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine were in Benedict's system.
Officials with the Owasso Police Department and Owasso Public Schools said Nex Benedict was involved in a fight on Feb. 7 in a bathroom at Owasso High School's west campus. Their mother took them to a hospital that afternoon, and they were examined and discharged.
The next day, authorities received a 911 call from Benedict's mother asking for medics for them. Court documents say the teenager was posturing and that their hands were curling, their eyes were rolling back and they had shallow breathing.
Benedict was rushed to a hospital, where they later died. The court documents stated officers suspected foul play was involved in the 16-year-old's death.
The Owasso Police Department said in late February that preliminary information from the autopsy report indicated that Nex did not die as a result of trauma. They were waiting for more testing from the medical examiner's office.
The 16-year-old student's death has sparked international attention as well as local and federal investigations. The Rainbow Youth Project USA, a national LGBTQ youth suicide prevention organization, saw a 283% increase in crisis calls from Oklahoma in the weeks since Benedict's death.
| MORE | Federal Investigation launched into Owasso Public Schools following death of Nex Benedict
The Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office said the full autopsy report will be released in 10 business days and will be sent on March 27.
There are resources available if you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health. You can call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.
Top Headlines
- TIMELINE: Storms could produce large hail, tornado risk in parts of Oklahoma on Thursday
- Woman found dead in a Florida canal has been identified after nearly 42 years
- Police officer opens fire and kills dog during traffic stop in northeast Oklahoma City
- Oklahoma family issues warning on rare, deadly disease found in lakes