Nex Benedict ‘should still be here with us,' President Biden says

The 16-year-old died Feb. 8, one day after being involved in a fight at Owasso High School.

“Jill and I are heartbroken by the recent loss of Nex Benedict,” Biden said in a statement Thursday. “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.”

A summary report of the autopsy for Benedict, who used masculine or gender-neutral pronouns, states a fatal combination of antihistamines and antidepressants was found in their system.

“Nonbinary and transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know,” Biden’s statement reads. “But nobody should have to be brave just to be themselves.

“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.”

In a police interview at the hospital after the fight, Benedict said a group of freshmen girls had been antagonizing Benedict over a period of weeks. Benedict said they did not report the bullying to any teachers or administrators, only a parent, because “I didn’t really see the point of it.”

Biden in his statement said no one should face the kind of bullying Benedict experienced, stressing the importance of taking reports about bullies seriously.

“To all LGBTQI+ Americans for whom this tragedy feels so personal, know this: I will always have your back,” Biden said. “To LGBTQI+ young people across the country — you are loved exactly as you are.”

A statement released to media Thursday by the family’s attorney says the Benedicts continue to be “overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.”

“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 reads. “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.”

Nicole McAfee, executive director of Freedom Oklahoma, said the summary report of Benedict’s autopsy offers “only limited insight” into the reason for the student’s death.

“We have said from the beginning that whether Nex died as a result of the physical or emotional harm, … our elected officials, our appointed State Board of Education, Owasso High School, and all of us failed Nex in allowing for policies and rhetoric that created a regularly hostile environment.”

McAfee called out those in power “who are using their platforms to … advance anti-trans rhetoric.”

“We reaffirm our calls for (State) Superintendent Ryan Walters, state library advisory board member Chaya Raichik — who also operates the anti-2SLGBTQ hate account LibsOfTikTok — and any other policymaker who has and continues to contribute to Oklahoma’s culture of anti-trans bigotry to step down immediately,” McAfee said.

A statement from Walters, sent Thursday to the Tulsa World, reads: “The loss of our student in Owasso is tragic for the family, the community, and our state. The LGBTQ groups pushing a false narrative are one of the biggest threats to our democracy and I remain, more than ever, committed to never backing down to a woke mob.”

More than 100 people, including some area high-schoolers, gathered Thursday at the Oklahoma Capitol to express their grief for Benedict and the messaging surrounding their death.

“We have leaders in here that never got out of high school,” said Kris Williams, a program developer at Diversity Center of Oklahoma, gesturing toward the Capitol. “They are literally gaining their popularity from our deaths.”

Williams said the group wanted to bring awareness that “we’re not being represented appropriately.”

“They don’t know how resilient we are. They don’t know how wonderful and bright and talented we are. They don’t open their eyes because they don’t actually understand what the word ‘woke’ means,” said Williams. “My people love me. The rural areas of Oklahoma have much more accepting people than they do hateful people.”

Reps. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, and Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks, are among eight Oklahoma House members who released a statement Thursday about Benedict’s death, calling it “a harsh reminder of the power that words have.”

“As public officials and policy makers, we have a sacred obligation to ensure that as we do the work of the people, we do so with respect and dignity,” the statement reads. “Every human life is precious and created in the image of God regardless of who they are or who they love. We call on all Oklahomans to join us in our commitment to being respectful and deliberate in our language.”

Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, released a statement, saying: “I believe Nex Benedict’s death is a direct result of a society and government that consistently pushes back and restricts their identity and those of other LGBTQ+ individuals. To LGBTQ+ people grappling with this tragedy, we see you and we are doing everything we can to stop the harmful legislation and policies that attack your existence.”

World Capitol Bureau reporter Melissa Jacques contributed to this story.

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