LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- New court documents reveal a southern Indiana man was poisoned to death after drinking a root beer float.
But the shocking allegations don't end there. The complicated web of crime was uncovered through a burglary investigation that started in September.
Last week, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office said it started uncovering a murder conspiracy plot that led to Ashley Jones' arrest.
Jones appeared for her initial hearing Thursday in Jackson County Circuit Court, charged with the murder of Harold Allen. Allen was married to Jones' mother, Marsha Allen.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Jones and her mother, Marsha Allen, conspired the murder plot together.
In a police interview, Jones said she ordered ethylene glycol, an odorless, colorless chemical commonly used in antifreeze, off the internet. She said her mother put it in a root beer float she gave to Harold Allen in December 2022.
Harold Allen was found dead inside the couple's Freetown home, but foul play wasn't suspected until a burglary was reported by Marsha Allen in September.
According to court documents, two men — Steven White and Nathaniel Kane Napier — stole guns and jewelry with the help of Jones. They were charged and, during the investigation, White told authorities that Jones put them up to it and that Harold Allen was poisoned.
Deputies eventually found text messages between Marsha Allen and Jones discussing the murder of Harold Allen using poison.
Jones was found in Missouri this month and was arrested on conspiracy and murder charges in Harold Allen's death.
Last Monday, Marsha Allen was also taken in for questioning. But later that same day, she was found dead. Police said they suspect she died by suicide, but the investigation into her death is still ongoing.
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