NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A man who's listed as an employee with the Texas A&M University athletics department is accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend and his unborn child about a year ago.
Blaise Taylor is charged with two counts of murder. Investigators said he poisoned Jade Benning and her 5-month-old fetus. Benning died on March 6, 2023, her 25th birthday.
Taylor, 27, was arrested in Utah earlier this week. Authorities said he moved there after Benning's death and they're working with local authorities to have him brought back to Nashville, where he's facing the charges.
According to the Texas A&M University website, Taylor is listed in the employee directory as a senior athletic assistant. It's unclear how long he has worked there. According to KHOU 11 sister station KTHV, Taylor is a former Arkansas State football player. His father was recently hired as an assistant coach at Texas A&M.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said Benning was rushed to the hospital on Feb. 25, 2023, after Taylor called 911 and said his girlfriend appeared to be having an allergic reaction. Her condition quickly deteriorated and her unborn child died two days later, on Feb. 27, 2023. Due to her condition, Benning wasn't able to be interviewed before she died about a week later.
Investigators gathered evidence and presented it to a grand jury, which indicted him on two counts of first-degree murder. They said he poisoned Benning without her knowledge at her apartment on the night she was hospitalized.
Texas A&M Head Football Coach Mike Elko issued this statement:
"Our thoughts are with all those affected by this heartbreaking situation, including the family and friends of the victim. 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."