Nex Benedict Medical Examiner report released, what we've learned
OWASSO, OKLA. (KTUL) — The Oklahoma Medical Examiner released the full autopsy report on 16-year-old Nex Benedict’s death, two weeks after the first page came out that determined Nex’s death was a suicide.
The summary report concluded the combined toxicity of two different medications, Diphenhydramine, an allergy medication, and Fluoxetine, an anti-depressant, was the probable cause of death.
There were “massive” amounts of Diphenhydramine, more commonly known over the counter as Benadryl, found in Nex's blood, according to an expert who reviewed the medical examiner’s report.
The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner would not comment on the findings. The National Association of Medical Examiners also declined to comment, stating the organization “has a longstanding practice of not consulting or commenting on individual cases.”
Dr. Paul Wax, the Executive Director of the American College of Toxicology, who reviewed the toxicology report at NewsChannel 8’s request said Nex would have to have “taken a lot of pills” to get to the level of concentration found in the blood.
“You can't say for sure if it was 50 pills or 100 pills'' Dr. Wax said. “They found trace amounts of other drugs but it's a very tiny concentration so that didn't contribute to the death.”
Tests to check for illicit drugs, like Fentanyl, were conducted, however, according to Dr. Wax, were not found.
A second expert who reviewed the findings was forensic pathologist Dr. Daniel Schultz, the President of Final Diagnosis INC. in Tampa, Florida, who came to the same conclusion on the cause of death.
“There’s no question this was an overdose by a combination of diphenhydramine and fluoxetine," Dr. Schultz said. “Essentially the dose to do this in some ways implies intent. This is not an accidental type of thing.”
The 11 pages released indicate handwritten notes ‘suggestive of self-harm’ were found in Nex's room by family members, and that the teen has a history of ‘bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, self-harm (cutting)’.
Benedict, who identified as nonbinary and used they/them pronouns, died on Feb. 8. The teen’s death came one day after a fight in an Owasso High School bathroom, with several other students.
"From the beginning of this investigation, Owasso Police observed many indications that this death was the result of suicide," the Owasso Police Department said in a statement when the autopsy summary came out. "However, investigators did not wish to confirm that information without the final results being presented by the Oklahoma Medical Examiners Office."
Last week Tulsa County DA Steve Kunzweiler announced the fight that took place in the school restroom was “mutual combat” and determined no charges would be filed in the matter.
Kunzweiler’s decision came under fire from both local and national LGBTQ rights groups.
"If you’re going to ask a non-binary or trans person, child specifically, to go into a bathroom of their assigned sex and not put any protections into place for that to not be seen as a mutual combat, I think that’s something that needs to be looked at," said the Diversity Center of Oklahoma's Program Development Coordinator, Chris Williams.
Ahead of the full autopsy report being released, the Benedict’s family lawyer shared that part of the report highlights injuries. According to the Biby Law Firm, the Benedicts wanted to ensure other pertinent portions of the report were not overshadowed by the “classification” of Nex’s death.
The injuries determined to be “non lethal” include:
Two contusions, right orbital region; right scleral hemorrhage: two lacerations (1/4 inch, each), right cheek, right external ear, and left cheek. Scalp and subgaleal hemorrhages.
Dr. Schultz classified those injuries as ‘minor’ and ‘consistent’ with recently being in an altercation. He also referenced some bruising in the report on Nex's arms as occurring ‘days’ before the autopsy, based on their coloring.
Both he and Dr. Wax told NewsChannel8 that based on their interpretation of the report, there is no evidence of brain trauma related to the fight.
The report highlights a ‘contusion’ on the chest, which is determined to have happened during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, efforts.
“You may sometimes see deep fractures of ribs,” said Dr. Schultz.
He noted the report was ‘very thorough’ and additional tests like an arrhythmia panel, were also conducted.
“Tragic all the way around, but clearly a well-performed autopsy, " he said. “I would agree with the findings.”
The teen’s death has led to a national conversation surrounding anti-LGBTQ bullying and violence.
“As parents, we send our kids to school expecting that they will be safe and cared for," said Kelley Robinson, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, in a statement following the partial release of the Medical Examiner’s report. "Nex was failed by so many and should still be here today. We hold their family in our hearts as they grapple with the devastating reality that their beloved child, a teen with a bright future, is no longer making this world a brighter place.”
The Department of Education launched an investigation into Owasso Public School, according to a letter addressed to the Human Rights Campaign, which filed a complaint that the district failed “to address the discrimination and harassment to which Nex was subjected.”
A spokesperson for the district confirmed the district received a notice of the investigation but disputed the claims.
"The district is committed to cooperating with federal officials and believes the complaint submitted by HRC is not supported by the facts and is without merit," Spokesperson Brock Crawford said in an email.
There’s no word on a timeline for when the Department of Education investigation will be complete.
In the meantime, Benedict’s family is calling on schools and lawmakers for change.
“Reforms creating school environments that are built upon the pillars of respect, inclusion and grace, and aim to eliminate bullying and hate, are the types of change that all involved should be able to rally behind,” the family’s statement read.
LGBTQ+ youth can access resources like the Trevor Project, by calling (866) 488-7386 or texting "START" to 678-678 to get help.
The Rainbow Youth Project USA is another resource for LGBTQIA youth.
