Update: Owasso police interviewing school staff, students regarding local teen’s death

Owasso police say they are interviewing school staff and students regarding the recent death of a 16-year-old student.

Nex Benedict, who identified as nonbinary and used gender-neutral pronouns, died Thursday, Feb. 8, one day after they were involved in an altercation inside an Owasso High School bathroom.

“Detectives have, are and will be interviewing school staff and students over the course of the next two weeks, and in turn will be submitting our investigation to the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution review,” Owasso Police Lt. Nick Boatman said in an email.

It is unknown at this time if Benedict’s death is related to the altercation. A thorough investigation is being conducted by detectives who plan to release further information following an autopsy and a toxicology test.

Boatman said it is Owasso PD’s policy to not release incident reports for cases that are under active investigation when there is risk of compromising or harming the investigation.

“There are laws regarding open records and confidential records, and the Owasso Police Department will release all information required by law,” Boatman 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.”

Owasso Public Schools administrators sent a letter to district parents Tuesday as "speculation and misinformation surrounding the case has intensified."

After consulting with investigators, the district released information about the incident, including that all involved walked under their own power to the nurse's office and assistant principal's office. Through district protocol, it was determined an ambulance was not required; however, it was recommended that one of those involved seek further medical care.

Benedict had a love of nature and caring for cats, particularly their cat, Zeus. They enjoyed a variety of pastimes such as watching the “Walking Dead,” drawing, reading and playing “Ark” and “Minecraft” video games, according to their obituary.

Benedict has also been referred to as Dagny, a name their family continued to use at the 16-year-old’s funeral and on a GoFundMe campaign page.

This is a developing story that Owasso Reporter will continue to pursue as new information is made public.