This image is from the 2023 Utah State University football program media guide Arrested on March 14, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee for allegedly poisoning his girlfriend and her 5-month-old fetus Former defensive analyst Blaze A. Taylor. (Photo: Utah State Football Media Guide – 2023)
LOGAN — A former member of Utah State University's football staff was arrested Thursday, March 14, in connection with the poisoning deaths of a mother and her unborn child. Blaise A. Taylor was booked into the Cache County Jail on suspicion of being a fugitive.
Taylor was arrested on an indictment from a Nashville grand jury and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The charges allege that he poisoned his girlfriend, Jade Benning, 25, at her Nashville apartment on February 25, 2023. Taylor called 911 at 9:38 p.m. that same day to report that Benning appeared to be having an allergic reaction and requested paramedics.
Benning died nine days later, on March 6, 2023, on his 25th birthday, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Her unborn child died on February 27, 2023. Ms. Benning was unable to be interviewed by police before her death.
Taylor is said to be the father of the unborn child.
Deputy U.S. Marshals arrested Taylor in Utah at the request of Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
The 27-year-old defensive analyst briefly played for the Utah State University football team in 2023, but left before his arrest. His information has already been removed from USU's coaching roster. Taylor left earlier this month to pursue his new role and attend another school, a team spokesperson said.
The murder indictment against Taylor was returned on Wednesday after a months-long investigation led by Homicide Detective Adam Rees, which also included crime lab scientists and medical examiners from the coroner's office. The suspect allegedly visited Ms. Benning's apartment on Lebanon Pike on the night of February 25 and poisoned her without her knowledge.
After his death, Taylor moved to Utah. He remained in jail as of Friday night as Tennessee State Police worked to extradite him to Nashville.
Taylor was a standout defensive back at Arkansas State University. Statistics show he ran back four punts and one kickoff for a touchdown in his college career. He has also been successful in his academic studies, and a video has been released by the Red Wolves football team promoting his accomplishments on and off the field.
