LOUISVILLE, Ky. — An Indiana woman accused of helping her mother poison her stepfather could potentially be linked to another death investigation.
News of Ashley's Jones' arrest came as shock to many in Jackson County. But in Louisville, William Jones said it was no surprise.
"I was right all along. You can fool me, but you can't fool the Almighty," he said.
The investigation into Ashley began after her mother, Marsha Allen, reported a burglary at her home in September. Officers said they discovered that two men - Steven White and Nathaniel Kane Napier - committed the burglary with the help of Ashley. While searching for evidence in relation to the burglary, detectives found text messages on Marsha's phone of the women conspiring to poison Marsha's husband, Harold Allen.
William is White's father and the uncle of Ashley's late husband, Tyrson Jones. William said Tyrson was found dead in his home in 2019, just days after he received an inheritance from his great grandfather.
He said family members were unaware of Tyrson's death -- until they got a call from Ashley.
"She had his body cremated quick, fast and in a hurry before the family could even ask for an autopsy or have anything done about it," William said.
He said Ashley told them Tyrson died from alcohol poisoning, but he always felt there was more to the story.
"Ashley or Martha had set it up to where they poisoned him within the liquor," he said. "And I think Steven knows what happened because they were really, really inseparable people."
But he said his suspicions fell on deaf ears.
The Jackson County Sheriff's Department said they're aware of the claims, but can't say whether or not law enforcement is investigating Tyrson's death.
As of right now, Ashley is charged with Harold's murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and burglary. However, William is confident the web of crime didn't start at her mother's home.
"Something's been going on for a long period of time," he said. "It's all about money for them."
And now he says the paper trail has lead to them.
"I'm praying for you guys, but you all brought it on yourself," William said.
What happened with Harold's death investigation?
After finding the text messages on Marsha's phone, police searched her home and seized additional electronic devices in an attempt to find more evidence. While searching Marsha's home, officers interviewed her and then released her while they continued their investigation.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Dept. contacted Marsha's family on Oct. 16 saying they were unable to reach her. When officers arrived at Marsha's home, they said they found her dead with "no signs of violence." The cause of her death is unknown. Investigators expect to have her autopsy results sometime Friday.
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.
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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