Summary (tl;dr)

Blaise Taylor, a former NFL scout and college football player, has been convicted of first-degree murder in the poisoning deaths of his pregnant girlfriend, Jade Benning, and their unborn child, following a recent trial.

Essential Background

In February 2023, Jade Benning was rushed to the hospital after Blaise Taylor called 911, claiming she was experiencing an allergic reaction. Benning's five-month-old fetus died on February 27, 2023, and Benning herself passed away on March 6, 2023, her 25th birthday, without being able to speak with police. Subsequent investigations and autopsy reports revealed high levels of cocaine in Benning's system, which medical examiners indicated were inconsistent with recreational use. In March 2024, Taylor was indicted by a Nashville grand jury and subsequently arrested in Utah on two counts of first-degree murder, with authorities alleging he poisoned Benning's drink because he did not want to be a father. He had reportedly moved to Utah after the deaths.

The Full Story

The murder trial for Blaise Taylor recently concluded in Nashville, Tennessee, where prosecutors argued he fatally poisoned Jade Benning by lacing her pink lemonade with cocaine dissolved in alcohol. The defense contended that Benning had been using drugs and alcohol, and that Taylor had cooperated with investigators by calling 911. On July 1, 2026, a jury unanimously found Taylor guilty of first-degree murder in the deaths of Benning and their unborn daughter, Ivy. The jury is now determining Taylor's sentence, with options including life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 51 years or life without parole.

Why It Matters

The case of Blaise Taylor has drawn significant public attention due to the tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths of a pregnant woman and her unborn child, coupled with Taylor's background as a former college football star and NFL scout. The trial has brought to light complex forensic evidence, including toxicology reports and the challenges in determining the method of drug ingestion. The ongoing sentencing phase underscores the gravity of the crimes and the legal system's pursuit of justice for the victims.

Geographic Location

• Lebanon Pike apartment, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, United States (location where Jade Benning was allegedly poisoned)
• Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, United States (where Jade Benning and her unborn child died)
• Logan, Cache County, Utah, United States (location of Blaise Taylor's arrest)
• Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, United States (location of grand jury indictment, trial proceedings, and detention pending hearing)