I don't know. I published this story before I saw that police statement. I don't know if journalists are letting the police drive the narrative or not, but two people report that hospital doctors told Sue that Nex's death was the result of brain trauma.

We'll find out more in the coming days, I suppose. Also, some sources are reporting that the school will be releasing security camera footage.

So, if Nex did not die from traumatic brain injury, what did they die of? The police statement that they are waiting on toxicology reports indicates they suspect drugs, which could be indicative of suicide.

But, the police seem to be circling wagons with school district authorities. I'm sure the truth, whatever it is, will come out eventually.

But for me —whether Nex died as a direct result of their beating or if the beating was "only" a contributing cause, the moral calculus remains the same. And the same people bear culpability and should take responsibility to do better.