Man arrested in Utah charged with girlfriend, unborn fetus’ death
Blaise Taylor is alleged to have poisoned his pregnant girlfriend in February 2023.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A man was arrested in Utah on Thursday in connection to the death of his girlfriend and her 5-month-old fetus, Metro Nashville Police confirmed Thursday night.
Police said Blaise A. Taylor, 27, was arrested by Deputy U.S. Marshals at the request of MNPD in Utah after a grand jury indictment. Taylor is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the poisoning deaths of Jade Benning on March 6, 2023, her 25th birthday, and the unborn baby which Taylor is alleged to have fathered.
Benning was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center by ambulance on Feb. 25, 2023, after Taylor called 911 at 9:38 p.m. and said Benning appeared to be having an allergic reaction and asked for paramedics. Police said Benning’s condition immediately became critical. Her unborn fetus died on Feb. 27. Police said Benning was not able to be interviewed by detectives before she died.
Police said months of investigation, led by Homicide Unit Detective Adam Reese, and involving scientists from the crime lab and doctors from the Medical Examiner’s Office, led to Wednesday’s murder indictment against Taylor.
Police said Taylor is alleged to have poisoned Benning without her knowledge while visiting her Lebanon Pike apartment on the night of Feb. 25.
Taylor moved to Utah after their deaths.
Metro Nashville Police will be working with Utah authorities to arrange Taylor’s return to Nashville.
Copyright 2024 WSMV. All rights reserved.