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The Feb. 8 death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict, a nonbinary student in Owasso, has created a deeply emotional response for many locally and internationally. What unfolded illustrates the difference in how journalists and social media users treat and share information.

The rush to judgement was swift online, while local media used diligent steps to verify information. Social media commentary muddied the reality between facts and speculation. It fueled criticisms that local media werenā€™t seeking information or, worse, were involved in a coverup.

To provide clarity, the following explains how the story developed.

Within five hours of Nexā€™s death, Owasso police brought attention to the teenagerā€™s death through a press release. Officers said they were looking to see if there was a connection between the death and a fight at school the previous day. No crime was alleged, but it shows a concern to fully investigate the sudden death of a child.

Local media, including the Tulsa World, amplified that information along with seeking all publicly available information.

About a week later, social media posts circulated with unconfirmed statements about the cause of death, possible criminality and motive, personal information about Nex and conspiracies. The origins of some postings are difficult to find.

Many online were critical of the initial use of the teenagerā€™s birth name. That had been supplied by the family to police and the funeral home, which were the only sources in the early media reports. The family had not agreed to interviews.

A heartbreaking message from Nexā€™s mother on Tuesday apologized and said, ā€œAs parents we were still learning the correct forms. Please do not judge us as Nex was judged, please do not bully us for our ignorance on the subject. ā€¦ we are sorry in our grief that we overlooked them. I lost my child, the headstone will have correct name of their choice.ā€

Reporters updated stories to the preferred name. Local media also covered the funeral.

On Tuesday, the Owasso school district provided details, with many contradicting the social media narrative, particularly regarding injuries of those involved in the fight. The motivation of the altercation has not been disclosed. The district has received violent threats including one against a specific official deemed credible by the FBI.

Owasso police are independently investigating and waiting for the cause of death from the state medical examiner, which could take months. A autopsy released Wednesday by Owasso police stated that Nex did not die from injuries from the altercation. Toxicology and other tests are pending.

The Tulsa County District Attorneyā€™s Office will review the reports when complete.

As each new piece of information emerges, the Tulsa World and local media made that public. The pace is not at the speed many want. We understand and want answers, too.

But, as journalists, we cannot make assumptions or spread unsubstantiated claims. Accusations of a crime and speculation about a cause of death have legal consequences.

We can only report on the known facts at the time. We would rather be accurate than be first. We want on-the-record sources with first-hand information. We are not in the business of allowing anonymous people to spread unverified theories or engage in misinformation.

Anything less than this due diligence would be a disservice to Nex and their family, who are going through a trauma under a worldwide microscope. To get anything wrong would be irresponsible and only add to their grief.

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