Ex-Arkansas player Blaise Taylor arrested over dual murder charges of pregnant girlfriend

Former Arkansas state football player, Blaise Taylor, has been arrested over dual murder charges for the death of his girlfriend and unborn child, Fox News reported Saturday. 

According to a statement by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Taylor, 27, reportedly poisoned girlfriend Jade Benning, 25, who was pregnant at the time, with who is believed to be his child.

The incident occurred on February 25 last year, when Benning was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition, unable to speak. Taylor reportedly told the police that Benning had an allergic reaction.

Her unborn foetus passed away two days later on February 27 while Benning passed away on March 6.

Taylor, who was working as a staffer at Texas A&M university, was arrested from Utah on Thursday night by Nashville police.

He is the son of Texas A&M coach Trooper Traylor.

Following months of investigation and examinations, it was discovered that "Benning had been poisoned without her knowledge after Taylor visited her home". 

According to Tennessee law, the punishment for first degree murder is death or imprisonment for life without parole.

Taylor has played four seasons with the Arkansas state team from 2014 to 2017. He became the team's captain four times. He served as a scout for National Football League (NFL) Titans, later moving to serve as senior defensive analyst at Utah State in 2023.