In Indiana, a seemingly sudden and tragic death has unraveled into a chilling tale of calculated murder. Harold “Peanut” Allen, a 52-year-old man known for his friendly demeanor, died on December 22, 2022, under what initially appeared to be natural causes. However, new revelations suggest that his death was anything but accidental, as it was allegedly orchestrated by those closest to him—his wife, Marsha Allen, and her daughter, Ashley Jones, according to KRON4.
Harold’s obituary described him as someone who “passed away suddenly,” leaving behind grieving friends and family. However, prosecutors now claim that his death was meticulously planned months in advance. The plot reportedly began in September 2022, when Ashley Jones allegedly ordered pong pong seeds—known as the “suicide tree” due to its lethal properties—from eBay. Just one kernel of the pong pong seed can be fatal, making it a favored method of poisoning in certain parts of the world, told The Daily Mail.
According to court documents, Marsha Allen used a coffee grinder to crush the seeds and incorporated them into brownies that she baked on November 26, 2022. She even sent her daughter a photo of Harold with a half-eaten brownie on his stomach. “Harold became sick after eating the brownie and ended up in the emergency room the next day,” the court documents revealed. Although he survived this initial poisoning attempt, his health rapidly deteriorated, leaving him vulnerable to further attacks.
As Harold’s condition worsened, Marsha and Ashley allegedly grew impatient. Text messages exchanged between the two on November 28, 2022, reveal Marsha’s frustration. “I am irritated and can’t sleep peacefully,” she wrote. “I need this to be over.” Ashley allegedly responded with agreement, signaling their determination to see their plan through.
Despite surviving the first attempt, Harold’s health continued to decline. The duo reportedly turned to another toxic plant, hemlock, which they used in three separate poisoning attempts in December 2022. However, these attempts also failed. Determined to succeed, Ashley allegedly purchased ethylene glycol, a toxic substance found in antifreeze, on December 13, 2022. She is accused of adding it to Harold’s root beer, which ultimately led to his death two days later.
For nearly a year, it seemed that Marsha and Ashley had successfully covered up their crime. However, in October 2023, a burglary at Marsha Allen’s home led to a shocking discovery. One of the burglars, Steven Andrew White, claimed that Ashley had not only orchestrated the burglary but also confided that her mother had poisoned Harold to death. This revelation, coupled with incriminating text messages and purchase records, provided damning evidence against the mother-daughter duo.
On the same day a search warrant was issued for her home, Marsha Allen died, with authorities suspecting suicide. Ashley Jones now faces multiple charges, including two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and attempted murder. Her trial is scheduled for January 7, 2025, where she will face the consequences of her alleged role in her stepfather’s death.