The Murder of Jade Benning: A Fatal Date Night in Nashville

Jade Benning was a twenty-four-year-old professionally trained chef with a bright future ahead of her. Known for her infectious smile and independence, Jade had recently moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and was thrilled to discover she was expecting her first child, a daughter she planned to name Ivy. But her excitement was not shared by the baby's father, Blaise Taylor.

A Promising Future Cut Short

Blaise Taylor appeared to be the picture of success. A former college football team captain and honor student, he had built a career as a scout for the Tennessee Titans. When Jade met him through a dating app in August 2022, there was nothing in his background that seemed alarming. However, when Jade told Blaise she was pregnant, he made it clear he was not ready to become a father. He suggested she terminate the pregnancy and gave her an ultimatum, but Jade stood her ground, telling him she intended to love and raise her baby with or without his involvement.

For months, the two remained out of contact. Then, in early 2023, Blaise re-entered Jade's life, seemingly willing to move forward. On the evening of February 25th, 2023, Jade planned a quiet "paint and sip" date night at her apartment. She was five months pregnant and excited to paint something for her baby's nursery. But the evening quickly took a dark turn.

The Frantic Final Phone Call

At 9:29 PM, Jade's best friend, Nijaiha Jackson, received a phone call from Jade's phone. When Nijaiha answered, she heard Jade frantically accusing Blaise of putting something in her drink. Over the next several minutes, Nijaiha listened in horror as Jade's speech became slurred and she complained that she couldn't feel her legs.

Minutes later, Blaise called 911, claiming Jade was suffering from a severe allergic reaction. When paramedics arrived, they found Jade unresponsive and lacking a pulse. Despite their efforts, Jade had suffered a catastrophic brain injury. She and her unborn daughter, Ivy, both passed away in the hospital days later.

Uncovering the Truth

An autopsy later revealed that Jade had died from acute cocaine toxicity, despite having no history of using the drug. The concentration of cocaine in her system was extraordinarily high, leading the medical examiner to conclude it had been swallowed, likely dissolved into a drink.

Investigators spent months building a circumstantial case against Blaise, piecing together the timeline from that night, including the frantic phone call and Blaise's unusual behavior. In March 2024, Blaise was indicted and arrested in Utah. During his trial in June 2026, prosecutors argued that Blaise intentionally poisoned Jade by secretly giving her a lethal dose of cocaine to end the pregnancy he never wanted. In July 2026, a jury found Blaise guilty of first-degree premeditated murder for the death of Ivy and second-degree murder for Jade's death.

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