Chef's Final Call Raises Questions About Scout in Nashville Death

A planned romantic evening in Nashville turned into a medical emergency when professional chef Jade Benning, 24, became unresponsive at her apartment on February 25, 2023. Her companion, Blaise Taylor, then a 26-year-old assistant football scout for the Tennessee Titans, called emergency services after she began shaking and showing signs of distress. Benning was nearly six months pregnant at the time.

According to police body camera footage, Taylor initially described the evening as a date night. He said Benning had started feeling unwell before her condition deteriorated.

Taylor first contacted his father, a college football coach, for medical advice. After a 30-second conversation, his father instructed him to call 911.

During the emergency call, Taylor described Benning's condition and said he did not understand what was happening. Emergency medical personnel subsequently found her lying face down on her bed without a pulse and transported her to a hospital.

Benning's best friend, Nijaiha Jackson, had returned to the apartment and was shocked to discover that her friend had become unresponsive. Jackson said she had seen Benning approximately an hour earlier, when she appeared normal.

Jackson later described a distressing telephone conversation with Benning that took place before the emergency. According to Jackson, Benning sounded frightened and accused Taylor of putting something in her drink. The conversation lasted slightly more than six minutes before Benning's voice faded and the connection ended.

Jackson immediately rushed toward Benning's apartment and contacted her mother, Bridget Benning Burks. She subsequently shared what she had heard with law enforcement officers and medical personnel.

Jackson said the responsibility of explaining the alarming conversation to Benning's family, police and doctors was overwhelming. She emphasized that she wanted authorities and medical staff to understand what her friend had told her.

Benning's parents later described their daughter as an energetic person who had always worked to bring people together. Her father, Dennis Browning, said she frequently helped resolve disagreements within the family, including after her parents separated.

Benning grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she served as captain of her high school cheerleading squad and participated in cheerleading competitions. She eventually moved to Nashville to pursue a professional cooking career and her ambition of opening a restaurant.

Her mother recalled that Benning had mentioned meeting Taylor not long after moving to Nashville. Browning's husband was familiar with Taylor because of his involvement in sports.

Taylor had established a reputation in Arkansas college football. He previously played defensive back at Arkansas State University, where he earned a scholarship and completed bachelor's and master's degrees in business within three-and-a-half years while playing football.

His mother, Evi Taylor, also said he had established a nonprofit organization. He later worked as an assistant coach at Duke before moving to Nashville for his position with the Tennessee Titans.

Taylor's family members described him as someone committed to helping others. His sister, Starr Taylor, recalled their shared involvement in community service through a foundation they established while attending Arkansas State.

Benning's relationship with Taylor had initially been casual, with both reportedly seeing other people. That changed in November 2022, approximately three months into their relationship, when Benning informed her parents that she was pregnant.

Her father recalled the moment she shared the news with him.

"You're going to be a grandpa," Dennis Browning said, recalling his daughter's announcement.

After hearing the news, Browning wanted to know who the child's father was. Benning identified Taylor as the father.

"Who's the father?" Browning recalled asking his daughter.

Benning later learned she was expecting a girl and chose the name Ivy. The artwork she had planned to create during the February evening was intended for her unborn daughter's bedroom, featuring messages of love and hope.

As the emergency unfolded, Benning's mother traveled overnight to Nashville. She repeatedly attempted to reach her daughter's phone before Taylor eventually answered.

Bridget Benning Burks recalled confronting him during that conversation.

"What have you done to my child?" Burks recalled asking Taylor.

The circumstances surrounding Benning's medical emergency and death raised serious questions about the events inside her apartment. Her friend's account of the final telephone conversation became an important part of the information shared with investigators.