On the night of February 25, 2023, Blaise Taylor found himself outside Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. He was answering police questions about Jade Benning, a 24-year-old woman who had become unresponsive during their date. Blaise Taylor (police bodycam): “We were together having a date night.” Authorities wanted to know more about the medical emergency that had befallen Jade.
Jade had begun the evening expecting to strengthen her relationship with Blaise, a 26-year-old assistant football scout for the Tennessee Titans. With plans of cooking and painting, Jade, a professional chef, prepared a special night. However, her evening turned from hopeful to tragic when she fell ill. Blaise reported she began spitting up and shaking, leading him to call his father for advice.
Evi Taylor, Blaise’s mother, noted that their children frequently sought medical advice from their father, who had experience as a college football coach. Following a brief call with his father, Blaise dialed 911 for assistance. Blaise Taylor (911 call): “I don’t know what’s happening… She’s got spit coming out of her mouth and she’s shaking.”
Paramedics found Jade without a pulse and rushed her to the hospital. Meanwhile, Jade’s best friend, Nijaiha Jackson, returned to learn the distressing news that Jade was unresponsive. Jade’s lively spirit was acknowledged by friends and family, recalling her cheerleader days in Little Rock, Arkansas. Her father, Dennis Browning, highlighted Jade’s unity-building nature, even easing tensions between her divorced parents.
Jade’s move to Nashville was set to advance her culinary career with dreams of owning a restaurant. Her relationship with Blaise Taylor began after her relocation, with Jade introducing Blaise to her family. Blaise was known for his academic and athletic achievements, obtaining a master’s degree while playing football and participating in community service efforts. Yet, the relationship had outside pressures, as indicated by past conversations where Jade had informed her parents of Blaise’s discomfort over the pregnancy.
On an evening towards late 2022, Jade disclosed to her parents that she was pregnant with Blaise’s child, revealing a positive pregnancy test. Jade, nearing six months pregnant at the time of the date night, had intended to create paintings for Ivy’s room, signaling her excitement about motherhood. Disturbingly, Nijaiha described a phone call from Jade accusing Blaise of adulterating her drink. This was haunting, as Nijaiha claimed Jade’s vocal tone waned before disconnection.
Upon racing to Jade’s apartment, Nijaiha hurriedly updated Jade’s mother, Bridget, as the police and medical staff sought more information. Bridget demanded answers from Blaise, and when she arrived at the hospital, was faced with Jade’s dire condition. Bridget Benning Burks: “She had gone approximately 45 minutes without oxygen. I knew.”
Jade was brain-dead and on life support, with her unborn child suffering alongside due to a lack of oxygen. Her family was desperate for answers, troubled by the call made implicating Blaise. Bridget was told Jade was to be protected under an alias name at the hospital, restricting Blaise’s access.
Blaise provided his version of events to police, cooperating multiple times at the hospital. There was no substantive evidence that Blaise had harmed Jade. Jade’s family and Blaise’s family were not privy to ongoing developments, creating tension over the investigation’s progression.
Later, conversations emerged depicting Blaise’s reluctance to embrace fatherhood, presenting a dismal view on his acceptance of the child. Jade’s family was willing to support her without Blaise’s involvement, illustrating their readiness to nurture Ivy. Concurrently, Blaise informed his family about the pregnancy in December 2022. Plans for a paternity test were discussed, showing Evi’s tentative acceptance of Jade.
Despite the relationship cooling post-pregnancy revelation, Blaise rekindled contact with Jade around New Year’s 2022. However, Jade on life support cast a suspicious shadow on Blaise’s motives for the renewal of affection. Alarmingly, police had yet to seal Jade’s apartment as a crime scene, prompting Nijaiha and friends to conduct an amateur investigation.
Finding themselves in Jade’s apartment, the group documented their search. Concerns about an unsecured camera prompted Nijaiha to return it to its original position. Their actions included collecting a vomit-stained comforter, which they furnished to Bridget. Subsequent police action ensured the scene was secure, while forensic test items were gathered.
Lab results surfaced a few days into Jade’s hospital stay, indicating cocaine presence in her system. Her family maintained Jade’s commitment to avoid narcotics during pregnancy. The decision loomed regarding the removal of Jade from life support. The family chose to wait until her birthday, March 6, 2023, before proceeding.
Tragically, on what would have been her 25th birthday, Jade passed away. Autopsy results revealed extraordinarily high levels of cocaine, seven times above fatal overdose levels. Dennis Browning: “Off the chart.” Bridget wasn’t convinced of accidental ingestion, suspecting foul play by Blaise.
Despite damning findings, the manner of death couldn’t be determined as homicide. No evidence identified Blaise purchasing drugs, nor drugs present in the drinks from Jade’s apartment. Other findings confirmed cocaine in vomit traces.
Jade’s family remained convinced Blaise acted maliciously to preserve his reputation. As police maintained investigation efforts, no substantive evidence directly implicated Blaise. Blaise relocated for career advancement, which, to Jade’s family, signaled a disregard for their tragic loss.
After a year of scrutiny, in March 2024, Blaise was arrested for murder in Utah. As proceedings moved to Nashville, Blaise’s defense argued lack of incriminating evidence. Attorney Letitia Quinones-Hollins emphasized absence of direct links to the fatal drugs.
The trial began in June 2026. Prosecutors aimed to substantiate charges against Blaise, focusing on intent to poison with cocaine based on Jade’s phone call. Key witness Nijaiha recounted Jade’s accusations from the call, forming the cornerstone of the prosecution’s case.
Defense attorneys highlighted the ambiguities of the call and queried Nijaiha on her actions. Defense questioned investigative integrity due to unauthorized home exploration, impacting reliable evidence.
Jade’s drug history prompted debate. Conversations unearthed with Danny Weed didn’t show clear ties to the case drug, cocaine. Defense stressed this wasn’t investigated properly. Prosecutors contended liquid cocaine posed a murder threat.
Expert testimony on cocaine toxicity underlined extreme levels in Jade’s system. This was acknowledged as non-conclusive, without proving involvement by someone else. Defense countered purported witness bias, detailing Blaise’s historic remarks regarding previous relationships.
Despite testimony from Blaise’s former girlfriend, Apple Dennie, the defense argued in favor of his character. No evidence confirmed Dennie’s claims, challenging alleged behavior patterns. Apple’s account illuminated perceived controlling tendencies in Blaise.
Medical expert debates explored cocaethylene presence and its implications. Small levels identified by the state could support alternative ingestion theories — defense cited lack of alcohol evidence. Prosecution argued that Blaise could have used alcohol as a solvent, strengthening liability concerns.
In closing, prosecution emphasized direct accusations by Jade. With defense balancing alleged character defamation against inconclusive lab results, the choice rested with jurors, who would decide Blaise Taylor’s future.
A swift verdict declared Blaise guilty on multiple counts, resulting in life sentences. Jade’s family felt relief, celebrating Jade’s memory as a community, yet Blaise’s family vowed to pursue legal appeals in defense of innocence.
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