A former college football player who became an NFL scout has been accused of committing two first-degree murders by poisoning his girlfriend and their 5-month-old fetus last year.
Jade Benning, 25, passed away at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on March 6, 2023, after being taken there by ambulance on February 25, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department stated. The unborn fetus died on February 27.
Blaise A. Taylor, 27, was apprehended this week in Utah, where he relocated after the deaths. U.S. Marshals took him into custody following an indictment by a Nashville grand jury.
Authorities mentioned that Taylor dialed 911 on February 25, reporting that Benning seemed to be experiencing an allergic reaction. Her condition worsened, and she never regained the ability to communicate with investigators.
Nashville police conducted an extensive investigation into the deaths, which involved input from scientists at crime laboratories and doctors from the Medical Examiner’s Office. They allege that Taylor poisoned Benning on the evening of February 25.
Nashville police are collaborating with Utah authorities to bring Taylor back to Tennessee for a trial.
While in Tennessee, Taylor was reportedly employed by the Tennessee Titans before taking on a role as a senior defensive analyst at Utah State University last summer. The school informed Law&Crime that he resigned on March 1 “for another institution.” According to KBTX, the former Arkansas State University player is now working for the Texas A&M University athletic department. Taylor’s father, Trooper Taylor, is an assistant coach at Texas A&M.
[Featured image: Arkansas State’s Blaise Taylor (1) fumbles a Nebraska punt, but recovers it before running downfield for a touchdown, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)]