Indiana Woman Sentenced to 50 Years for Husband’s Murder Poisoning After Burglary Investigation

A burglary at a home in Freetown, Indiana, on September 19, 2023, led investigators to uncover a complex plot involving murder and conspiracy, authorities confirmed.

According to the Jackson County Sheriff's Department, the investigation began when Marsha Allen reported her home had been burglarized. Allen recognized one of the suspects as Steven White, a friend of her daughter, Ashley Jones, based on home security camera footage. Det. Clint Burcham stated that White and Jones were best friends.

Police quickly located and arrested White, who admitted his involvement in the burglary. During questioning, White accused Marsha Allen of murdering her husband, Harold Allen, who had died the previous year under what was initially believed to be natural causes.

White alleged to investigators that Marsha Allen, with the help of her daughter Ashley Jones, had poisoned Harold Allen by serving him a root beer float laced with ethylene glycol, a chemical commonly found in antifreeze, on December 19, 2022. White claimed that the pair had tried various exotic poisons over several months before resorting to the lethal dose. Analysis of text messages between Marsha Allen and Ashley Jones revealed discussions of prior attempts to kill Harold Allen, police said.

A month after the burglary, police questioned Marsha Allen about the accusations. She denied involvement in her husband's death and died by suicide hours after returning home. Ashley Jones was subsequently arrested, charged with murder, and booked at the Jackson County Jail. While awaiting trial, investigators allege Jones gave her cellmate a "kill list" containing names of possible witnesses, including White, though prosecutors did not file additional charges related to the list.

In August 2025, Jackson County Prosecutor Lynsey Fleetwood confirmed that Jones pleaded guilty to attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder under a plea agreement. She received a 50-year prison sentence. Steven White was sentenced to three and a half years for his role in the burglary. The investigation is now closed, with no further charges related to the alleged "kill list."