BROWNSTOWN, Ind. — An Indiana woman has been arrested after allegedly helping her mother poison her stepfather.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department arrested 29-year-old Ashley Jones for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and burglary on Wednesday.
The investigation began after Ashley's mother, Marsha Allen, reported her home on North State Road 135 had been burglarized on Sept. 19.
Marsha's neighbor, Richard Brewer, said he also reached out to the sheriff's department that day.
"Told them that I'd be going up there and checking it out. I found the window broken into," he said.
Officers said they investigated the burglary, and found that two men - Steven White and Nathaniel Kane Napier - committed the burglary with the help of Ashley.
While searching for evidence, authorities looked through Marsha's cell phone. They said they found text messages between Marsha and Ashley where they discussed killing Marsha's husband, Harold Allen, by poisoning him. According to Jackson County Sheriff's Dept. PIO Adam Nicholson, Harold died on Dec. 20, 2022.
"When Harold passed away, he had some health issues and we just assumed that's what it was," Brewer said. "It's kinda scary."
Police said they searched Marsha's home and seized additional electronic devices in an attempt to find evidence. While searching her home, officers interviewed Marsha. Following the interview, police said they released her while officers continued their investigation.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Dept. contacted Marsha's family on Oct. 16 saying they were unable to reach her. When they arrived at Marsha's home, officers said they found her dead with "no signs of violence." The cause of her death is unknown. Investigators said they're waiting on her autopsy results.
The next day, Ashley confessed to buying ethylene glycol off the Internet, but told authorities that Marsha was the person who had put the poison in Harold's drink. However, Ashley is charged in connection to Harold's death, leaving Brewer and many others wondering why this happened.
"Got to find the motive. So far, they haven't come up with the motive that I know of. I hope they find out why," Brewer said.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Sheriff Rick Meyer at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department at (812) 358-2141.
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