Former Tennessee Titans Scout Charged with 2023 Murders of Nashville Girlfriend, Unborn Child
NASHVILLE — Former Tennessee Titans scout Blaise Taylor was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder on Thursday in connection with the poisoning deaths of his pregnant girlfriend and unborn child, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said in a statement:
"Deputy United States Marshals, at the request of the MNPD, this evening arrested Blaise A. Taylor, 27, in Utah on a Nashville grand jury indictment charging him with two counts of first-degree murder for the poisoning deaths of his girlfriend and her five-month-old fetus which Taylor is alleged to have fathered.
"Jade Benning died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on March 6, 2023, her 25th birthday," Nashville police said. "She was rushed to the hospital by ambulance on the night of February 25, 2023, after Taylor telephoned 911 at 9:38 p.m., said Benning appeared to be having an allergic reaction, and asked for paramedics. Benning’s medical condition immediately became critical. Her unborn fetus died on February 27, 2023. Benning was not able to be interviewed by police before she died (on March 6, 2023).
"Months of investigation, led by Homicide Unit Detective Adam Reese and involving scientists from crime laboratories and doctors from the Medical Examiner’s Office, led to Wednesday’s return of the murder indictment against Taylor. He is alleged to have poisoned Benning without her knowledge while visiting her Lebanon Pike apartment on the night of February 25."
Taylor moved to Utah after the deaths.
At the MNPD's request, Deputy United States Marshals arrested Taylor in Utah. According to the Cache County Jail, he was booked with no bail.
Taylor is accused of poisoning Benning without her knowledge at her Lebanon Pike apartment. The MNPD is working with Utah police to extradite Taylor to Nashville.
According to Taylor's LinkedIn page, he started with the Titans in May 2019 as a scouting assistant. He spent two years in that role before the Titans elevated him to a pro scout.
Taylor was on the Utah State staff as a defensive analyst for the 2023 season and reported to be taking a job on the Texas A&M football staff.
Jade Benning was an aspiring chef and mother, her friend and co-worker, Lauren Weber, the assistant general manager at Earnest Bar and Hideaway, told WSMV.com.
“She was always inviting. Always sweet, always wanting to know your story. Jade had a bright future ahead of her,” said Weber, who has a tattoo on her am of the date that Benning died. “She would have been the most amazing mom you could have ever imagined.”
Thursday's arrest was "relieving," Weber said. “We know it’s not the end, but it’s definitely relieving to know there has been another step made in this process and Jade will have the justice she needs.”
