A former college football standout and NFL scout has been arrested on suspicion of a double murder.
Blaise Taylor, who starred at Arkansas State before working as an analyst with various programs and a scout with the Tenessee Titans, is suspected of having poisoned his pregnant girlfriend, leading to her death and the death of her unborn fetus in Nashville, Tennessee.
According to ESPN, the 27-year-old was arrested by U.S. marshals on Thursday night in Utah and was served with an indictment from authorities in Nashville on two counts of first-degree murder.
His girlfriend, Jade Benning, died on her 25th birthday, on March 6, 2023, after being poisoned in February. Her fetus, believed to have been fathered by Taylor, died on February 27, 2023.
Benning was rushed to the hospital on February 26, 2023, after Taylor called 911 with claims that she was having an allergic reaction. Her condition worsened considerably thereafter, leaving her unable to speak to police before she died.
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Blaise Taylor Was A Rising Star As A Scout
Blaise Taylor was working with the Titans at the time.
He joined Utah State as a senior defensive analyst last season and was still listed as a Texas A&M employee as of Friday. His father, Trooper Taylor, recently joined the latter’s coaching staff as a running backs coach and associate head coach under new head coach Mike Elko.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this heartbreaking situation, including the family and friends of the victim,” a statement from Elko reads. “It’s essential to allow the courts to handle this situation with the diligence and fairness it demands. We also would like to extend our prayers and support to Coach Trooper Taylor, Dr. Evelyn Taylor and their family as they navigate this extremely difficult time.”
The school has suspended Blaise pending the outcome of his case.
He started for four years at Arkansas State, where his father worked as a defensive backs coach at the time, and was a captain who earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors as a DB and punt returner.
He holds Arkansas State career records for punt return yards, with 1,151, and pass breakups, with 30. He also left as the Sun Belt’s leader in passes defended, with 36.
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