Hosted by Derrick Levasseur and Stephanie Harlowe
Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
In this opening episode of a multi-part series, hosts Stephanie Harlowe and Derrick Levasseur examine the tragic and complex case of 24-year-old Jade Benning, a talented Nashville pastry chef and culinary school graduate who died on her 25th birthday in March 2023. Weeks prior, Jade had discovered she was pregnant with a child fathered by Blaze Taylor, a former college football star and high-achieving professional scout whom she had been seeing casually. While Jade enthusiastically embraced the impending motherhood and planned to raise her daughter with the support of her close-knit family and lifelong friends, Blaze made it clear he wanted nothing to do with the child or the pregnancy. The hosts explore the complex dynamics of their relationship, examining Blaze's manipulative attempts to deter Jade from continuing the pregnancy, the tension surrounding public announcements and doctor appointments, and the suspicious circumstances leading up to the night Jade became unresponsive after asking Blaze what he put in her drink.
Hosts introduce the new series on Jade Benning’s mysterious death and outline the investigative focus.
Details of Jade’s upbringing in Little Rock, her close relationship with her mother, and her extended family in Nashville.
Exploration of Jade’s lifelong friendships with Najah Jackson and Lindsay Wallace, and how these relationships shaped her life.
Jade’s culinary journey, from school to her own catering business, and her move to Nashville to pursue her chef dream.
Blaze’s athletic pedigree, education, and how he and Jade met on Hinge and entered a casual relationship.
Jade learns she’s pregnant, informs Blaze, and their subsequent text exchanges leading to a breakup message.
Jade’s choice to keep the pregnancy, her support from friends and family, and her plan to raise the child independently.
The conversation shifts to broader issues of unplanned pregnancies, the emotional toll on single mothers, and how some men manipulate situations to avoid responsibility.
A brief commercial break promotes IQ Bars, a protein snack, with hosts discussing its benefits and flavors.
Hosts advertise the Ladder app, emphasizing its structured training plans and community support for fitness enthusiasts.
The hosts analyze Blaze’s text exchanges with Jade, noting manipulative language and emotional pressure aimed at influencing her decisions.
The narrative moves to Blaze’s re-entry into Jade’s life, their attempts at co‑parenting discussions, and the emotional complexities involved.
Discussion centers on Blaze’s uncertain NFL career, how job instability may have influenced his behavior toward Jade and the pregnancy.
A Mysterious Question Before Collapseinsight
While on the phone with her lifelong friend, Jade confronted Blaze Taylor in her apartment, asking him what he had put in her drink before she quickly became unresponsive.
Achieving High School Leadershipstory
Jade demonstrated exceptional leadership skills as a student, serving as the captain of both the JV and varsity cheerleading squads at a large high school.
Unusual Academic and Athletic Recorddata
Blaze Taylor achieved a rare combination of athletic success and academic acceleration, earning both a bachelor's degree and an MBA with a 3.82 GPA before his senior football season.
After discovering positive at-home tests on November 2nd, Jade and her best friend Najah visited a clinic to confirm the pregnancy and hear the baby's heartbeat.
Setting Firm Boundariesstrategy
Jade sent Blaze a clear message stating she had decided to keep the child with or without his support and giving him the choice to attend upcoming appointments.
Shifting Responsibility onto Jadeinsight
Blaze downplayed future travel plans and emphasized the drastic negative changes Jade would face as a mother, repeatedly telling her she needed to be realistic.
“What did you put in my drink?”
“I never thought culinary school would be the route I'd take, but after my first day, I know this is it.”
“After multiple conversations, I think it may be best that we go ahead and cut the ties slash communication between us.”
“I will love this child unconditionally, with or without you.”
“I always reassure her that she's never alone.”
“I want to be there for you and the baby if you need me.”
“He was definitely trying to deter her from having that baby.”
“If you have storage, you would have access to that conversation. And most importantly, you would have the seconds before the camera went offline.”
“She took pictures of the kitchen island. She took pictures of a lot that night. She took pictures of her Alfredo that she was making.”
“Not a good guy in the sense that he, he handled this completely wrong.”
On the night of February 25th, 2023, 24-year-old Jade Benning called one of her oldest and closest friends. She wasn't calling to catch up. In fact, for much of the call, it seemed as if Jade wasn't even speaking to her friend, and instead, this friend listened as Jade confronted the man standing inside her apartment with her: Blaise Taylor, a man who jade had recently reconnected with. A man who's child she was carrying. A man who would later call himself her boyfriend. Jade sounded confused, her speech was becoming rapidly impaired; she said she couldn't feel her legs. And then she asked Blaise a question that would eventually become the center of a murder investigation: What did you put in my drink?
21,181 words · 8 speakers
Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.
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