Who was Jade Benning? Ex-Tennessee Titans scout Blaise Taylor convicted of pregnant girlfriend’s death(Image via Facebook)Blaise Taylor, a former Tennessee Titans scout, was convicted on July 1, 2026, in the deaths of his pregnant girlfriend, Jade Benning and their unborn child. A Nashville jury delivered the verdict after an eight-day trial that focused on whether Benning died from poisoning or an overdose, as argued by both sides.Prosecutors said the case began on February 25, 2023, when Taylor called 911 from Benning’s Nashville apartment and reported she was having an “allergic reaction.” That call later became a key part of the trial as investigators built a timeline around her sudden medical collapse and death.Jade Benning built her life in Tennessee through food, cheerleading, and steady ambitionJade Benning grew up in Tennessee and built early discipline through cheerleading. She began training at the age of seven and later became captain of both junior varsity and varsity teams at Central High School. Those who knew her described her as focused and consistent, someone who balanced work and personal goals without seeking attention.After graduating from Brightwater Culinary Arts in 2020, Benning entered the restaurant industry in Nashville. She worked as head pastry chef at Mirabellas Table and later as a chef at Earnest Bar & Hideaway. Colleagues said she stayed committed to her craft and built a strong reputation in the kitchen.Her personal life later included a relationship with Blaise Taylor, who worked as a scout for the Tennessee Titans. That relationship later became the centre of a criminal investigation after her hospitalisation in February 2023.Her obituary later reflected how people remembered her beyond the case. It described her as someone with a bright personality and strong warmth, saying she had a “smile that would light up the room” and a “heart that loved everyone.” It also mentioned her love for music, tattoos, Netflix, and time spent with close friends and family.Court convicts Blaise Taylor after prosecutors detail alleged poisoning and fatal timelineAccording to prosecutors, Taylor visited Benning on Feb. 25, 2023. They alleged he laced her drink with cocaine dissolved in alcohol during that meeting. Taylor later told emergency dispatchers she was suffering from an allergic reaction.Emergency responders rushed Benning to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Her condition worsened quickly. Her unborn child died on Feb. 27, 2023. Benning died on March 6, 2023, on her 25th birthday.During the trial, prosecutors argued that toxicology findings showed a lethal amount of cocaine in her system. One expert testimony referenced in court noted that the levels detected were inconsistent with recreational use, supporting the prosecution’s claim of poisoning.Taylor denied all allegations after his March 2024 arrest. His defence argued that Benning had a prior substance use history and suggested an overdose as the cause of death. Prosecutors rejected that argument and pointed to the 911 call, medical timeline, and witness statements.On July 1, 2026, the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts in under three hours. Taylor was convicted of second-degree murder in Benning’s death, first-degree murder of the unborn child, and two counts of felony murder connected to both deaths. Taylor's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 9, when the court will determine if he will serve his sentences consecutively or concurrently.