Ethan Illers and Brittney Baird
2 days ago
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Utah football coach has been arrested in connection with the poisoning of his girlfriend and her unborn child in Nashville last year.
Blaise Taylor, 27, was arrested by U.S. marshal deputies in Cache County, Utah, on Thursday, March 14, after being indicted by a Nashville grand jury on two counts of first-degree murder, according to Metro Police. .
Investigators said Taylor's girlfriend, Jade Benning, died on March 6, 2023, her 25th birthday, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. She had previously been taken to the hospital by ambulance on the night of Feb. 25 after Taylor called 911 and said Benning appeared to be having an allergic reaction.
Benning's condition quickly became critical, and the 5-month-old fetus, which Taylor believes was the father, died on February 27. Detectives were unable to interview Benning before he died.
Investigators determined that Taylor poisoned Benning without his knowledge during a Feb. 25 visit to his townhome.
Taylor reportedly moved to Utah after Benning and her unborn child died. Police are currently working with Utah authorities to arrange for Taylor's return to Nashville.
According to his LinkedIn, the Tennessee Titans employed Taylor as a scout for four years.
Taylor was previously employed as a senior defensive analyst at Utah State University, which released the following statement:
Utah State University is aware of the arrest of Blaise Taylor, a former employee who left the university on March 1, 2024 to begin a new role at another university. Taylor has been working as an analyst for the USU football program since July 1, 2023. The University is not involved in this law enforcement matter and all questions should be directed to the Metro Nashville Police Department.
Taylor played at Arkansas State University from 2014 to 2017.
