Share this @internewscast.com

No charges will be filed in connection with the fight that happened the day before Nex Benedict, a nonbinary high school student, died by suicide in Oklahoma, the district attorney investigating the case said Thursday.

The fight in the high school bathroom appeared to be an “instance of mutual combat,” Stephen Kunzweiler, Tulsa County’s district attorney, said in a statement announcing his decision not to charge anyone.

Kunzweiler also noted that Owasso police officers discovered “some brief notes” that were written by Nex and “appeared to be related to the suicide.”

“Although the notes do not make any reference to the earlier fight or difficulties at school, the parents indicated that Benedict reported being picked upon for various reasons while at school,” Kunzweiler wrote in the release, adding that the contents of the notes would not be released.

Nex was transgender and used he and they pronouns.

All of the students involved in the fight were minors, the DA said, adding that “if charges were justified, those charges would be handled as a delinquent child cause of action in a juvenile court of law.”

“I do not have a reasonable belief that the State of Oklahoma could sustain its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt if charges were presented for prosecution,” Kunzweiler wrote.

Nex, 16, got into a fight with other students at the Owasso High School West Campus, northeast of Tulsa, on Feb. 7. His mother took him to the hospital and called police to report the fight.

According to body camera video from a police interview at the hospital, Nex said three students “jumped” him after he threw water on them because they were bullying him and his friend for the way they dressed.

Nex had reportedly told his mom that he faced bullying at school because of his gender identity.

Police were investigating whether his death on Feb. 8, which was later determined to be by suicide, was at all connected to the fight the day before.

Preliminary information from an autopsy report released Feb. 21 showed that Nex’s death was not trauma-related, police said at the time. But days later, police said the fight was not being ruled out as having contributed to or caused Nex’s death.

A report from the medical examiner’s office said the probable cause of death was “combined toxicity” from two drugs. According to the district attorney’s office release, both were legally available in Nex’s home.

The medical examiner’s report also noted that Nex had visible “superficial injuries” consistent with the fight the day before, according to the DA’s statement. None of the injuries were determined to have caused Nex’s death, though.

Kunzweiler said his office reviewed law enforcement reports from two incidents related to Nex’s case — the fight and the police visit in the hospital.

According to Kunzweiler, the fight occurred in an Owasso High School bathroom and involved two groups of students who did not know each other before they met during in-school suspension.

In the days leading up to the fight, the groups “were antagonizing each other,” Kunzweiler said, and none of the students reported the behavior to school administrators or teachers.

In a statement last week, the family called on schools, administrators and lawmakers to come together and push for reforms that seek to end bullying.

“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,” Nex’s family said.

In the release, Kunzweiler called Nex’s death by suicide a “tragedy.”

“The reasons why any person commits suicide do not provide answers to those who are left behind,” Kunzweiler said in Thursday’s statement. “Suicide is sad, and our country is beset by far too many instances where insufficient resources are allocated to combat this growing crisis.”

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.

If you are an LGBTQ young person in crisis, feeling suicidal or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk, call the TrevorLifeline now at 1-866-488-7386 or the Rainbow Youth Project at 1-317-643-4888.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
'Hadn’t even begun to live': Family mourns 16-year-old killed in Sandalwood shooting

Tragic Loss: Family Mourns Teenager’s Life Cut Short in Sandalwood Shooting

Tragedy struck the Sandalwood community in Jacksonville as a family mourns the…
With FDA approval of Wegovy pill, new era of oral GLP-1 weight loss drugs begins

FDA Greenlights Wegovy Pill, Heralding a New Era for Oral GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications

In a significant development for obesity treatment, the US Food and Drug…
Third Parkland school shooting survivor commits suicide,  7 years later

Tragic Loss: Third Parkland Shooting Survivor Dies by Suicide 7 Years After Tragedy

In a tragic turn of events, the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School…
Multiple people, including pregnant woman, struck by alleged drunk driver at Navajo Nation Christmas parade

Tragic Incident at Navajo Nation Parade: Alleged Drunk Driver Hits Attendees, Including Expectant Mother

A suspected drunk driver reportedly hit several individuals during a Christmas parade…
Eric Swalwell's Incredibly Cringey CA Gov Ad Shows Just How Clueless and Out of Touch Dems Are

Eric Swalwell’s Misguided CA Governor Ad: A Glaring Example of Democratic Disconnect

The race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in California is quickly becoming…
Palmdale Street shooting on Jacksonville's Northwest side leaves man dead

Shocking Incident: Money Dispute Escalates to Gunfire at Jacksonville Northside Restaurant

A man in his 30s is on the mend after sustaining multiple…
Multiple fatalities reported as Mexican Navy plane crashes off Texas coast, recovery effort underway

Tragic Mexican Navy Plane Crash Off Texas Coast Claims Lives: Ongoing Recovery Efforts in Focus

A tragic incident unfolded on Monday when a Mexican Navy aircraft, tasked…
Manhunt underway for 3 'dangerous' inmates who broke out of Georgia jail

Urgent Manhunt: Georgia Authorities Seek Three ‘Dangerous’ Inmates Following Jailbreak

In a startling development from the Atlanta area, authorities have revealed that…
Should Florida truck drivers be required to take CDL testing, instruction in English?

Florida Debates English-Only CDL Testing for Truck Drivers: Implications for Safety and Diversity

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Blaise Ingoglia, is spearheading a legislative push aimed…
Man to be deported after attempted false imprisonment of 12-year-old girl in Brunswick

Brunswick Incident: Man Faces Deportation After Attempted False Imprisonment of Young Girl

Victor Hernandez has been sentenced to five years of probation and a…
PA Court Allows Warrantless Google Search Access

Pennsylvania Court Rules Police Can Access Google Searches Without Warrants

Pennsylvania’s highest court just handed Big Tech and law enforcement a massive…
Mistrial called after jury fails to reach verdict in trial of former Hochul and Cuomo aide Linda Sun

Jury Deadlock Leads to Mistrial in Case Involving Former Aide to Hochul and Cuomo, Linda Sun

In a significant turn of events, a judge announced a mistrial on…