A Utah man was taken into custody by Deputy U.S. Marshals on a Nashville grand jury indictment for the alleged first-degree murder of his girlfriend and their unborn child, authorities confirmed Thursday evening. 27-year-old Blaise A. Taylor is accused of poisoning Jade Benning on her 25th birthday, leading to her death and the loss of her five-month-old fetus.
Benning, who was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center on the night of February 25, 2023, following Taylor's 911 call reporting an allergic reaction, died without regaining the ability to speak with investigators. The months-long investigation, spearheaded by Homicide Unit Detective Adam Reese and supported by crime laboratory scientists and the Medical Examiner’s Office, resulted in the allegations that Taylor poisoned Benning at her Lebanon Pike apartment, without her knowledge.
After the tragic incident, Taylor left for Utah, where he was later arrested based on the Nashville indictment. According to the Nashville Metro Police Department, the MNPD is now coordinating with Utah authorities to facilitate Taylor's extradition back to Nashville.
Taylor, who is alleged to have fathered the fetus, faces serious charges that could result in a life sentence, if convicted.
