An Oklahoma non-binary teen has died ‘from brain trauma’ hours after allegedly being involved in a fight at school where schoolmates were said to have beaten the their head on a restroom floor.
Nex Benedict, 16, was attacked at Owasso Public High School, according to the youngster’s family.
The teen died in the hospital on February 8, after allegedly being beaten by three older girls. Her grandmother told the Independent that her child was bullied for being gender fluid and got into a fight in the bathroom with other girls.
Police investigating the death said no 911 call was made by the school. They were summoned to the hospital at around 3pm on February 7.
The teen’s guardian, Sue 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.
Oklahoma teen Dagny Benedict, 16, died after allegedly being involved in a fight at school
The Owasso Public High School student passed away in hospital on February 8, a day after the alleged fight
The incident reportedly involved the teen’s head being repeatedly smashed on the floor of the school’s restroom
Police were summoned to the hospital around 3.30pm on February 7, according to a police statement.
Nex was discharged a short while after but rushed back in the next day and later died.
Police are yet to confirm if the death was related to the alleged fight. They are awaiting autopsy and toxicology results from the medical examiner’s office, which will deliver the final verdict on cause of death.
Detectives are currently interviewing witnesses to determine if any criminal charges will be filed.
‘The Owasso Police Department will release all information required by law, but it is the Department’s policy to not release incident reports for cases that are under active investigation when there is risk of compromising or harming the investigation,’ the statement said.
‘We understand that people are concerned about this incident and we can assure everyone that this incident is being taken seriously and is being investigated thoroughly.
‘The Owasso Police Department offers our condolences to the family, friends, fellow students, and loved ones of the deceased student and we will do our best to discover the truth.’
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
Police are awaiting the results of an autopsy and toxicology report before they release a cause of death
In a statement to local media Owasso Public Schools said it could not comment amid an ongoing investigation
‘At first, I didn’t feel anything. I couldn’t. What am I supposed to feel at that point? Knowing that someone that I could have used to know, someone I used to walk in the halls with, someone I could have been to class with is no longer a part of our lives, no longer part of the community. It’s a community that I love, and now she’s gone,’ school friend Alexandria Davidson told WYMT.
An obituary described the teen’s love of nature and ‘caring’ disposition, especially towards beloved cat Zeus.
‘Dagny 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 to local media, Owasso Public Schools said it could not comment amid an ongoing investigation.
DailyMail.com has contacted Owasso Schools and the Owasso Police Department for comment.
