Blaise Taylor, a former player at Arkansas State and college football staffer, was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Utah on Thursday night on charges related to the poisoning deaths of his girlfriend and her unborn fetus in Nashville.
According to a statement from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD), Taylor’s girlfriend, Jade Benning, passed away on March 6, 2023, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Taylor had called 911 on February 25, 2023, reporting Benning’s alleged allergic reaction and requesting paramedics.
She was rushed to the hospital, where she remained in critical condition until her death. Tragically, Benning’s unborn fetus also perished two days later.
After extensive investigation, Nashville police asserted that Taylor had poisoned Benning without her knowledge during his visit to her apartment on the night of February 25.
At the time of the alleged murders, Taylor resided in Nashville and worked for the Tennessee Titans. He later joined the coaching staff at Utah State as a senior defensive analyst under coach Blake Anderson for the 2023 football season. Recently, Taylor moved to Texas A&M’s staff under new coach Mike Elko in a similar role, as reported.
Taylor is the son of longtime college football assistant Trooper Taylor, who is currently working with Elko at Texas A&M as an associate head coach and running backs coach.
