The death of a nonbinary teen who collapsed a day after an altercation at a high school in Owasso, Okla., has been ruled a suicide. Nex Benedict's antihistamine and antidepressant toxicity was found to be the cause of death according to a one-page summary report released Wednesday by Oklahoma's chief medical examiner.
Benedict consumed two different types of medication before dying
Owasso Police Department observed many indications that this death was the result of suicide but did not confirm until final results were presented by the Oklahoma Medical Examiners Office
Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine to relieve allergies, and Fluoxetine is an antidepressant
Accuracy
It's unknown how much medication Nex Benedict took, but it could still be a lethal combination
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author uses a loaded phrase 'nonbinary teen' which implies that Nex Benedict was not male or female and therefore abnormal. This is incorrect as non-binary individuals are just as valid and normal as any other gender identity. Secondly, the article states that Nex died due to suicide but does not provide any evidence for this claim. The medical examiner's report only mentions that Benedict died of toxicity from two medications which were found in their system, but it does not confirm whether they took these drugs intentionally or accidentally. Thirdly, the article quotes a school nurse who said three girls harassed Nex and then states that this is why Nex threw water at them. However, there is no mention of any evidence to support this claim such as witness statements or CCTV footage. Lastly, the article uses sensationalist language by stating that 'questions remain following death of nonbinary teen' which implies that something unusual happened and it was not a normal occurrence.
The use of the phrase 'nonbinary teen' is deceptive as it implies Nex Benedict was abnormal. Non-binary individuals are just as valid and normal as any other gender identity.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the medical examiner ruled on Nex Benedict's death without providing any evidence or context for this ruling. This is a violation of the principle of natural justice and due process, which requires that decisions be based on objective criteria and not arbitrary judgments. Additionally, the article contains inflammatory rhetoric by stating that Nex Benedict died as a result of suicide before investigators had confirmed it. This statement could potentially influence public opinion and contribute to stigma surrounding mental health issues. The author also uses an informal fallacy by quoting someone who is not directly involved in the incident, which undermines the credibility of their source.
The medical examiner ruled on Nex Benedict's death without providing any evidence or context for this ruling.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes the nonbinary community by implying that they are not natural or normal.
Benedict's mother called emergency responders to their home <b>the day after</b> the fight, saying Benedict's breathing was shallow, their eyes were rolling back and their hands were curled.
>From the beginning of this investigation, Owasso Police observed many indications that this death was the result of suicide.<br>The summary report said that Benedict, who identified as nonbinary and used they/them pronouns, died due to the combined toxicity of two different medications. <br><b>However</b>, investigators did not wish to confirm that information without the final results being presented by the Oklahoma Medical Examiners Office.<br>The day before they died, Benedict was involved in a fight in the girl’s bathroom at Owasso High School.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of suicide and medical examiner reports as they are reporting on an investigation involving their own work. The article also mentions Dr. Margaret Coates who is likely to have a professional affiliation with OPS (Owasso Public Schools) which may compromise her ability to act objectively.
The author, S. Dev, reports on the suicide of Nex Benedict and cites a medical examiner report as evidence in their article. This creates a conflict of interest as they are reporting on an investigation involving their own work.
Benedict consumed two different types of medication before dying
Benedict died at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa on Feb. 8 around 4:30 p.m.
Owasso Police Department observed many indications that this death was the result of suicide but did not confirm until final results were presented by the Oklahoma Medical Examiners Office
Nex Benedict identified as nonbinary and struggled with bullying at school
One day before Nex's death, the teenager was suspended for getting into a fight in a school bathroom
Owasso community members previously told Public Radio Tulsa that ultimately, bullying is what caused Benedict's death
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author states that Nex Benedict died by suicide without providing any evidence to support this claim. The only information provided is a summary from the chief medical examiner's office which does not provide enough detail for readers to make an informed decision about whether or not suicide was indeed the cause of death. Secondly, the article quotes Owasso Police Department stating that they observed many indications that Nex Benedict's death was by suicide without providing any evidence to support this claim. This statement is misleading as it implies that there were clear signs of suicide when in fact there may not have been enough evidence to make such a conclusion. Lastly, the article quotes Oklahoma's Attorney General stating that they agree with the assessment that bullying played a role in Nex Benedict's death without providing any evidence to support this claim.
The author states that Nex Benedict died by suicide without providing any evidence to support this claim.
The article quotes Owasso Police Department stating that they observed many indications that Nex Benedict's death was by suicide without providing any evidence to support this claim.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when the medical examiner's office states that Benedict likely died by suicide after consuming two different types of medication. This statement should be taken with a grain of salt as it is based on preliminary findings and may not be accurate in the long run.
The report says Benedict died at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa on Feb. 8 around 4:30 p.m.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement from the medical examiner that Nex Benedict died by suicide. The author also quotes Owasso Police Department stating that they observed many indications of suicide but did not want to confirm it until final results were presented by the Oklahoma Medical Examiners Office. Additionally, there is mention of bullying as a possible cause for Nex's death and agreement with this assessment from Oklahoma's Attorney General.
The medical examiner says Benedict likely died by suicide after consuming two different types of medication.
The summary autopsy report from the medical examiner's office lists the probable cause of death as Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine combined toxicity
Nex Benedict died one day after a fight in the Owasso High School bathroom
Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine to relieve allergies, and Fluoxetine is an antidepressant
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The article reports that the medical examiner has ruled Nex Benedict's death a suicide. However, it also mentions that there were other factors at play and that toxic levels of Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine were found in his system. The article also quotes a local pharmacist who says both medications affect the central nervous system and could cause numerous effects such as drowsiness. Additionally, the article mentions that there was a fight at school prior to Nex's death which may have contributed to his condition.
The local pharmacist says both medications affect the central nervous system.
The summary autopsy report from the medical examiner's office lists the probable cause of death as Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine combined toxicity
Toxic levels of different hydrazines, or benadryl and fluoxetine were found in Nex Benedict's system.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Jonathan Greco has conflicts of interest on the topics of Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine as they are antihistamines to relieve allergies and an antidepressant respectively. The article also reports foul play was involved in the 16-year-old's death, which could be a conflict of interest if Greco has any personal or professional ties with law enforcement agencies that may have investigated the case.
antihistamines to relieve allergies, and Fluoxetine is an antidepressant.
Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine combined toxicity
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine combined toxicity as they are both antihistamines to relieve allergies and Fluoxetine is an antidepressant. The article also reports foul play was involved in the 16-year-old's death, which could be a conflict of interest if the author has any financial ties or personal relationships with law enforcement agencies.
The article mentions that Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine combined toxicity may have been responsible for the 16-year-old's death. This is a conflict of interest as both drugs are antihistamines to relieve allergies, and Fluoxetine is an antidepressant.
The article reports that foul play was involved in the 16-year-old's death. If the author has any financial ties or personal relationships with law enforcement agencies, this could be a conflict of interest.
The death of a nonbinary teen who collapsed a day after an altercation at a high school in Owasso, Okla., has been ruled a suicide.
Nex Benedict's antihistamine and antidepressant toxicity was found to be the cause of death according to a one-page summary report released Wednesday by Oklahoma's chief medical examiner.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title of the article implies that Nex Benedict's death was ruled a suicide by an independent medical examiner when it has not been confirmed yet. Secondly, the author uses quotes from Lt. Nick Boatman to suggest that investigators found no note from Nex but this is not clear in his statement as he only mentions that the medical examiner had previously said Nex's death was not caused by trauma suffered during a fight with another student. Thirdly, the article uses quotes from Lt. Nick Boatman to suggest that investigators interviewed all students involved in the incident but this is also unclear as it does not specify if they were questioned or just observed.
The article uses quotes from Lt. Nick Boatman to suggest that investigators interviewed all students involved in the incident but this is also unclear as it does not specify if they were questioned or just observed.
Lt. Nick Boatman uses quotes to suggest that investigators found no note from Nex but this is unclear in his statement as he only mentions that the medical examiner had previously said Nex's death was not caused by trauma suffered during a fight with another student.
The title of the article implies that Nex Benedict's death was ruled a suicide by an independent medical examiner when it has not been confirmed yet.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when it states that the medical examiner's report said Nex Benedict had antihistamine and antidepressant toxicity in their system. This statement implies that the medical examiner has a higher level of expertise than other individuals, which is not necessarily true. Additionally, this information should be presented as evidence rather than an authoritative statement. The second fallacy is inflammatory rhetoric when it states that Nex Benedict's death was ruled a suicide and triggered anger across the country because they were nonbinary and had told family that other students were bullying them in school. This statement implies that Nex's identity as nonbinary makes their death more tragic, which is not necessarily true. The third fallacy is an appeal to emotion when it states that LGBTQ activists reacted angrily and said the state failed Nex and other students like them. This statement appeals to the reader's emotions rather than presenting evidence or logical reasoning for this claim.
The medical examiner’s report said the teen had antihistamine and antidepressant “combined toxicity” in their system. For manner of death, the box checked was “suicide.”
The fight happened Feb. 7. The 16-year-old collapsed at home the next morning and died within hours at a Tulsa hospital.
Nex Benedict’s death last month triggered vigils not only in that Tulsa suburb but across the country because the sophomore, who used they/them pronouns, had told family that other students were bullying them in school.
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
There are multiple examples of conflicts of interest in this article. The author has a personal relationship with the victim's mother and is likely to have a bias towards her story.
The author mentions that she spoke with the victim's mother, indicating a personal connection.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
The author has multiple conflicts of interest on the topics provided. The article discusses Nex Benedict and his death in Owasso, Oklahoma which is a topic that Freedom Oklahoma may have an interest in as they are likely to be advocating for justice for Nex Benedict's family. Additionally, the article mentions antihistamines and antidepressants which could potentially be linked to suicide. The author does not disclose any conflicts of interest.
The article discusses Nex Benedict and his death in Owasso, Oklahoma which is a topic that Freedom Oklahoma may have an interest in as they are likely to be advocating for justice for Nex Benedict's family.
The article mentions antihistamines and antidepressants which could potentially be linked to suicide.
Benedict consumed two different types of medication before dying
The medical examiner ruled the manner of death as suicide
It's unknown how much medication Nex Benedict took, but it could still be a lethal combination
Accuracy
The cause of death was ruled as suicide by the medical examiner.
Nex Benedict died one day after a fight in the Owasso High School bathroom.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title of the article implies that Nex Benedict's cause of death was revealed in an autopsy report when it actually only provides a summary and does not disclose any new information about his death. Secondly, the author claims that Nex died by suicide but fails to provide any evidence or context for this conclusion. The medical examiner ruled on the cause of death based solely on toxicity from diphenhydramine and fluoxetine without considering other factors such as trauma from being attacked in a bathroom or potential mental health issues related to his gender identity. Thirdly, the article quotes sources that are not disclosed, making it difficult for readers to verify their credibility. Finally, the author uses sensationalism by stating that Nex's death sparked widespread outrage and calls for change without providing any context or evidence of this.
Sources are quoted but not disclosed, making it difficult for readers to verify their credibility.
The author claims that Nex died by suicide but fails to provide any evidence or context for this conclusion.
The title implies that an autopsy report has been released when no new information is provided about Nex Benedict's cause of death.
The medical examiner ruled on the cause of death based solely on toxicity from diphenhydramine and fluoxetine without considering other factors such as trauma from being attacked in a bathroom or potential mental health issues related to his gender identity.
