In the summer of 2021, the life of Tiffani Jade Scarborough, a 25-year-old white female, was tragically cut short in Dublin, Georgia. A vibrant mother to her young son, Tiffani was a dedicated nurse at an OB/GYN office and was furthering her education to become a Certified Nurse Midwife. She was a 2014 honor graduate of Dodge County High School and went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Middle Georgia State University.
Friends and family remember her as a happy, energetic, and caring individual who was passionate about women's health and devoted to living a healthy lifestyle.
Just 59 days after her wedding, on June 29, 2021, an argument between Tiffani and her husband, Ben Whitaker, at their Penn Avenue home escalated with deadly consequences. The following morning, after Tiffani failed to show up for work, police conducted a welfare check and discovered her body on the kitchen floor; she had been shot at least once. Her son was not present during the incident and was found safe.
Ben Whitaker, also a registered nurse, was not at the scene and was quickly identified as a person of interest. His car was later found abandoned in the woods of neighboring Wilkinson County, where he was also located and taken into custody. Whitaker cooperated with investigators and was subsequently charged with the murder of his wife. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In August 2025, the murder trial against Ben Whitaker began. Prosecutors argued that Whitaker intentionally shot his wife four times in the back after an argument. The defense contended that a combination of prescription medications, including the antidepressant Lexapro, and alcohol caused Whitaker to suffer from serotonin syndrome, leading to a mental state where he had fragmented memories of the event and did not act with intent. After nearly two weeks of testimony, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, resulting in a deadlocked 11-to-1 vote. Consequently, the judge declared a mistrial in September 2025. The case may be retried in the future.
