JACKSON COUNTY, INDIANA: Ashley Jones, an Indiana woman was taken into custody after authorities uncovered a series of text messages between herself and her mother suggesting a plot to murder her stepfather.
The shocking revelation came after Jones' mother Marsha Allen was found dead this week, nearly a year after her husband Harold Allen's death in December 2022, reports People.
What are the charges against Ashley Jones?
The 29-year-old woman has been charged with murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and burglary.
Jones allegedly confessed to "ordering ethylene glycol off the Internet" as part of her alleged murder plot, read Jackson County Sheriff Rick Meyer's news release posted on Facebook.
According to the release, the suspect claimed on Tuesday, October 17, that her mother "was the person who had placed the ethylene glycol in Harold’s drink".
When did the investigators arrest Ashely Jones?
On Monday, October 16, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office responded to Marsha's home and found her dead "with no signs of violence," stated Meyer.
The sheriff further stated that the investigation into the case began on September 19 following a report of a burglary at Marsha's residence.
Nathaniel Kane Napier and Steven White were two men who were identified as suspects who burglarized the home "with the assistance of Marsha’s daughter Ashley Jones."
Authorities found alleged texts between Jones and her mother after they seized Marsha's phone. The texts "discussed murdering Marsha’s husband" with poison.
Who was Harold Allen?
Harold was a 52-year-old man who "passed away suddenly" on December 20, read his obituary.
At the time, a friend of Harold wrote on his memory wall that he "spoke often and fondly of" Marsha.
"Law enforcement officers then served a search warrant at Marsha’s home and seized additional electronic devices in an effort to find evidence. While executing the search warrant, officers spoke with Marsha," read the statement by Meyer.
"Following the interview of Marsha, officers released Marsha while officers continued their investigation," Meyer added.
A month after the burglary, Marsha was found dead at her home.
Jones then admitted to officers that she ordered the poison online. She then claimed Marsha placed the poison in her stepfather's drink, according to the release.
Jones is currently listed on the inmate roster with the note "Bond Pending or No Bond Required" on the Jackson County Sheriff's website.
According to Meyer, the woman's arrest in the case is part of an "ongoing investigation."
