Jade Benning Case: What to Know Before 48 Hours' 'Jade Benning's Final Call'

Status as of Oct. 31, 2026, 7:54 AM PT. Court records can change.

CBS’s 48 Hours airs “Jade Benning’s Final Call” tonight, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, at 10 PM ET/PT on CBS. It also streams on Paramount+. Check your local listings, since local stations can vary. Correspondent Natalie Morales reports. [1][2][3]

The episode is about the death of Jade Benning, a Nashville chef. A Davidson County jury convicted Blaise Taylor in July 2026, and he was sentenced to life in prison. His attorney has said he maintains he is innocent and that the defense will appeal. [4][5][7]

Who was Jade Benning?

Jade Benning was a professional chef. CBS describes her as 24 when the events began in Nashville, Tennessee. She turned 25 on March 6, 2023, the day she died. [1][5]

What happened, according to court reports?

On Feb. 25, 2023, Jade and Blaise Taylor, then 26, planned a date night at her apartment. [1] Taylor is a former Arkansas State football player. He worked in the Tennessee Titans’ scouting department. [5]

Prosecutors say Taylor put a lethal dose of cocaine in Jade’s drink. He called 911 and said she was having an allergic reaction. [4][5][6]

Jade was five months pregnant. [4] Her unborn child died on Feb. 27, 2023, and Jade died on March 6. [5]

What is the phone call CBS describes?

CBS says a call Jade made while she was dying became “a crucial piece of evidence” in the trial. [1] At trial, a friend testified that Jade called her that night and said she had been drugged. [4]

What did the court decide?

On July 1, 2026, a Davidson County jury convicted Taylor of second-degree murder in Jade’s death, first-degree murder of her unborn child, and two counts of felony murder. [4][5]

On Sept. 9, 2026, he was sentenced to life in prison. [5][7]

Reports differ on how the life terms are counted. The District Attorney’s July 1 release said Taylor received three life sentences and that formal sentencing was set for Sept. 9. [5] WSMV reported two consecutive life sentences (one after the other) on Sept. 9. [7] We have not seen the written judgment.

Not sure what the murder levels mean? See First-Degree, Second-Degree, Manslaughter: What’s the Difference?

Does Taylor dispute the verdict?

Yes. His attorney said the defense plans to appeal and that Taylor maintains he is innocent. [4][6] After the sentence, the attorney repeated that the defense will appeal. [7]

The conviction stands, and review may still be open. We have not verified whether an appeal or other challenge has been filed or decided.

What did Jade’s family say?

At the sentencing hearing, her mother said, “What makes the loss even harder to bear is that Jade believed she was safe.” After the sentence, her father said, “It brings closure to the situation, but it doesn’t bring her back.” [7]

What will the episode cover?

CBS says the hour includes interviews with Jade’s best friend and family, prosecutors and defense attorneys. [1] We have not seen the episode. This page covers only the public record listed below, and the program may include material not covered here.

What is still unknown?

• Whether an appeal or other challenge has been filed or decided.
• How the life terms are counted in the written judgment.
• How long Taylor must serve before any parole review. Reports differ, and we have not seen the written judgment.
• What the episode includes beyond what CBS has described.

Sources

1. CBS / Paramount Press Express, “A Dying Woman’s Final Call Puts a Former Star College Football Player Under Suspicion,” press release dated Oct 29, 2026 (title, air time 10:00 PM ET/PT, Jade’s age and job, Feb 25, 2023 date night, interviewees)
2. CBS News, “Sneak peek: Jade Benning’s Final Call,” posted Oct 29 (page shows no year), airs Saturday Oct 31 at 10/9c on CBS and Paramount+
3. CBS, 48 Hours 2026 episode guide, checked Oct 31, 2026 (episode listed, 10/9c, Natalie Morales)
4. WSMV (Amber Jayanth), “Former Titans scout Blaise Taylor found guilty in murder of pregnant girlfriend, unborn baby,” Jul 1, 2026 (verdict, counts, friend’s testimony, defense appeal statement)
5. Office of the District Attorney General, Nashville (Davidson County), “Former NFL Scout Found Guilty of Killing his Girlfriend and their Unborn Daughter,” release dated Jul 1, 2026, posted Jul 6, 2026 (counts, dates, Jade’s age at death, prosecutors’ account)
6. Oxygen (Jill Sederstrom), “NFL Scout Blaise Taylor Found Guilty of Murdering Pregnant Girlfriend, Attorney Vows to Appeal,” Jul 2, 2026 (911 call, prosecutors’ account, appeal plan)
7. WSMV (Amber Jayanth), “Former NFL scout sentenced to life for poisoning death of pregnant girlfriend,” Sep 9, 2026 (sentence, family statements, appeal plan)

By Cassian Creed, Neural Edge Publishing. Spot an error? Email cassiancreed@cassiancreed.com with “Correction” in the subject.