A former Arkansas State University football star and Tennessee Titans scout has been arrested in connection with the poisoning of his girlfriend and her unborn child in Nashville, Tennessee, last year.
Blaise Taylor, 27, was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Utah on Thursday night and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Nashville police said they “suspect” Taylor to be the child's father.
Taylor is accused of poisoning Jade Benning at her Nashville apartment on February 25, 2023. She was rushed to the hospital after Taylor called 911 to report that she was having an allergic reaction.
Benning's 5-month-old fetus died two days later, and she died on March 6, her 25th birthday, without telling police.
After months of investigation by police, scientists and medical examiners, authorities determined that Benning was “unknowingly poisoned” after Taylor visited her home.
Taylor was a four-year starter at Arkansas State from 2014 to 2017 as a defensive back and return specialist. A captain and first-team All-Sun Belt selection, he returned one for a touchdown each season and set a school record for punt return yards (1,151).
Taylor then spent four years as a scout for the NFL's Titans before joining Utah State as a defensive analyst in 2023. Earlier this month, he joined the defensive staff at Texas A&M, where his father, Trooper Taylor, runs the Aggies. Bucks coach.
