CBS’s 48 Hours: “Jade Benning’s Final Call” revisits the case on Saturday, Oct. 31, with correspondent Natalie Morales.
Jade Tristan Benning was 24 years old, a professionally trained chef, and preparing to become a mother. Friends and family remembered Jade as warm, independent, and full of plans for her future. She had moved to Nashville, started building her culinary career, and was expecting a daughter she planned to name Ivy.
On the night of Feb. 25, 2023, Jade had arranged a quiet date night at her apartment with Blaise Taylor, a former Arkansas State football player and Tennessee Titans scout. Jade was about five months pregnant. Her best friend, Nijaiha Jackson, stopped by earlier that evening and saw Jade looking forward to the night ahead.
Jade’s final phone call
At 9:29 p.m., Nijaiha received a call from Jade’s phone. Jade sounded frightened and unwell. During the call, Jade accused Taylor of putting something in her drink and said that the drink had tasted strange. Minutes later, Taylor called 911 and reported that Jade was having an allergic reaction.
Jade was rushed to the hospital. Her unborn daughter, Ivy, died two days later. Jade remained on life support until March 6, 2023, her 25th birthday. An autopsy determined that Jade died from acute cocaine toxicity. The medical examiner testified that the amount of cocaine in her system was extraordinarily high and that it had been swallowed, which supported the possibility that it had been dissolved in a drink.
The investigation and trial
Investigators later found a bottle of pink lemonade in the apartment trash and collected digital evidence that helped establish the timeline inside Jade’s home. In March 2024, a Davidson County grand jury indicted Blaise Taylor on first-degree murder charges. Prosecutors argued that he poisoned Jade’s pink lemonade with cocaine because he did not want her to continue the pregnancy.
Taylor pleaded not guilty. At trial, his attorneys argued that the state could not prove he had possessed or placed cocaine in Jade’s drink. The defense challenged the investigation and maintained that the case was circumstantial.
On July 1, 2026, a jury found Taylor guilty of second-degree murder in Jade’s death, first-degree murder in Ivy’s death, and two counts of first-degree felony murder. At formal sentencing on Sept. 9, 2026, he received two consecutive life sentences plus 22 years. Taylor’s attorney said the defense intended to appeal.
CBS’s 48 Hours: Jade Benning’s Final Call revisits the case on Saturday, Oct. 31, with correspondent Natalie Morales. Our episode follows the timeline, the evidence, and the loss Jade’s family and friends have carried since that night.
