Police investigating after Owasso student dies following fight in school bathroom
Note: KFOR is aware there is a discrepancy in the reporting of the deceased student’s name and gender. The student’s family and law enforcement are using one name to identify the student; several advocacy groups are using another.
OWASSO, Okla. (KFOR) - The Owasso Police Department is investigating the death of a 16-year-old student one day after a fight in the school bathroom.
The teen identified by the family as, Dagny Benedict, died on Feb. 8 following an altercation at Owasso High School on Feb. 7. Benedict's exact cause of death is unknown at this time.
Benedict's mother, Sue, told The Independent she was called to the school after her child and a transgender friend had been in a fight with three older students in a girls' bathroom.
The Owasso Police Department says officers were called to Bailey Medical Center by the teenager's parent on Feb. 7 around 3:30 p.m. The parent told officers there was a fight at the school.
According to police, the fight was not reported to the department until they were called to the hospital. A school resource officer was also called to the hospital and took down the information there.
Benedict was treated and released, but was rushed back to the hospital. The student died the next day.
Police say they still don't know if the fight was related to the teen's death.
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.
A final cause and manner of death will be determined by the State Medical Examiner’s Office.
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.
Owasso Police Department
On Tuesday, Owasso Public Schools a statement to KJRH.
School officials say, "Students were in the restroom for less than two minutes and the physical altercation was broken up by other students who were present in the restroom at the time, along with a staff member who was supervising outside of the restroom."
The district went on to say all involved students "walked under their own power to the assistant principal’s office and nurse’s office," where they were evaluated.
"While it was determined that ambulance service was not required, out of an abundance of caution, it was recommended to one parent that their student visit a medical facility for further examination," said school officials.
The loss of a student, a member of the Ram Family and the Owasso community, is devastating. We recognize the impact that this event has had on the entire school community and it is our priority to foster an environment where everyone feels heard, supported, and safe. If there is ever a concern about student safety or well-being, please reach out to a teacher, counselor or principal at your child’s school. As we continue to mourn the loss of this student, our hearts go out to their family and they will continue to be in our prayers. We are here to support them and everyone who has been affected by this situation.
Owasso Public Schools
Read the full statement on KJRH.com.
As the investigation continues, many have expressed concern over whether the student's identity played a factor in the fight and their subsequent death.
Sue told The Independent the teen had been dealing with bullies over identity issues since the beginning of 2023.
Sue also spoke with Public Radio Tulsa and said the family was still learning about Nex’s gender expression and used Nex's birth name on occasion at home, but accepted Nex's nonbinary identity.
“I just want my child back,” she said.
"We want to be clear, whether Nex died as a direct result of injuries sustained in the brutal hate-motivated attack at school or not, Nex’s death is a result of being the target of physical and emotional harm because of who Nex was," said Freedom Oklahoma. "This harm is absolutely related to the rhetoric and policies that are commonplace at the Oklahoma Legislature, the State Department of Education, and the Governor’s office, with regard to dehumanizing 2STGNC+ people."
“We are gravely heartbroken to learn about the death of Nex Benedict and extend our overwhelming condolences to their family, their friends, and the entire transgender community across Oklahoma. The assault on Nex is an inevitable result of the hateful rhetoric and discriminatory legislation targeting Oklahoma trans youth. We challenged Oklahoma’s law requiring schools to discriminate against students like Nex because we believe every student should have the safe and affirming environment they need to thrive, and policies that put transgender students in danger make schools less safe places for all students," said a joint statement from Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the ACLU of Oklahoma. “We are deeply troubled by reports the school failed to respond appropriately to the altercation that preceded Nex’s death and demand a thorough, open investigation into the matter. We will never stop fighting for 2SLGBTQ+ people across Oklahoma and the country until every state is a safe place to raise every family.”
In 2022, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a law required transgender public school students to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender assigned at birth.
Last month, the Oklahoma State Board of Education approved a permanent rule to prohibit school districts from altering student records to reflect their gender identity.
“We’re not going to do the transgender game of back and forth, back and forth,” said State Superintendent Ryan Walters during the October Board of Education meeting. “We have two genders. Those are the genders that are set.”
On Tuesday, Supt. Walters gave KFOR the following statement:
The safety and security of our students is my top priority as well as the first responsibility of Oklahoma schools. I mourn the loss of our student in Owasso and pray for God’s comfort for the family and the entire Owasso community.
As part of Oklahoma’s comprehensive School-Based Mental Health Implementation, I have committed all available resources from OSDE to assist Owasso Public Schools during this tragedy and await the full results of the ongoing investigation of the incident by law enforcement.
State Superintendent Ryan Walters
Also in January, Supt. Walters appointed Chaya Raichik, a New York-based former real estate agent who runs the X (formerly known as Twitter) account ‘Libs of TikTok,’ to sit on the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s Library Media Advisory Committee.
Raichik has posted multiple times on her personal X account, denying any connection between a 2022 post about an Owasso High School teacher and Benedict's death.
An outpouring of support has flooded the internet following the news of Benedict's death.
Freedom Oklahoma said those who knew Benedict want Nex to "be remembered not only for a tragic death, but for pursuit of an authentic life."
"Nex loved rock music, and often bonded with others over headbanging. Nex was unfailingly kind, and always searched for the best in people," said Freedom Oklahoma.
Chief of the Cherokee Nation, Chuck Hoskin Jr. released a statement saying, in part, "The death of Nex Benedict is a tragedy. As parents, the First Lady and I are heartbroken...The more we learn about Nex's life, the more we come to know a wonderful child whose experience and identity mattered and was worth celebrating. Above all, Nex deserved to live a full life. It was cut tragically short. May Nex rest in peace."
On Monday, Rep. Mauree Turner led the House floor in a moment of silence to honor Benedict.
A candlelight service is scheduled for Feb. 24 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Point A Gallery, 2124 NW 39th St. Oklahoma City, 73112.
2SLGBTQ+ affirming crisis support is available through the Trans Lifeline (877-565-8860), the Trevor Project (call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678), the Rainbow Youth Project (317-643-4888), and the LGBT Hotline (888-843-4564).