Indiana Woman's Sinister Plot Unveiled: Root Beer Float Linked to Husband's Death

Harold Allen's sudden death in Freetown, Indiana, just days before Christmas 2022, initially raised no alarms. Lieutenant Adam Nicholson of the Jackson County Sheriff's Department recalls, "Twenty years on the job, I never thought I would see a case like this."

Harold's brother, Matthew Allen, and his wife Samantha were aware of his health struggles, including diabetes and gastrointestinal issues that had sent him to the emergency room multiple times. "He was bigger... He was diabetic," Matthew stated, reflecting on his brother's condition.

During Thanksgiving dinner, Matthew noticed Harold's distress when he suddenly exclaimed, "The left side of my face just went numb." Despite family urging, Harold declined medical assistance.

As Christmas approached, Harold's health deteriorated further. On December 20, 2022, Marsha Allen made a harrowing 911 call after discovering her husband unresponsive. Harold, known affectionately as "Peanut," had lived a full life in southern Indiana.

Matthew reminisced about his brother's talents, saying, "He self-taught himself, like the guitar and mandolin." Harold worked at Aisin Manufacturing and enjoyed hobbies like motorcycle riding and fishing.

In 2019, Harold reconnected with Marsha Buxton at their high school reunion. Their relationship blossomed into marriage in July 2021. Marsha's daughter Ashley and her child later moved in with the couple, creating a close-knit family dynamic.

After Harold's death, Marsha published a book about her grief. However, nine months later, a burglary at her home led to shocking revelations. While on vacation in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Marsha received alerts from her new security system about movement in her home.

Upon reviewing the footage, she recognized one of the burglars as Steven White, her daughter's best friend. "Why would her own daughter's best friend burglarize Marsha's home?" Detective Clint Burcham pondered.

White was apprehended and made startling claims about Marsha. He accused her of murdering Harold by poisoning him with a root beer float. "This woman is a f****** murderer," he asserted, detailing how Marsha allegedly prepared the drink with poison.

As police investigated further, they discovered that Ashley had allegedly orchestrated the burglary and provided White with access to Marsha's home. "Ashley’s the one who set this s*** up," White claimed.

Detectives soon turned their attention to Marsha and Ashley's text messages, which revealed a sinister plot to kill Harold for financial gain. The texts discussed various poisons and their attempts to harm him.

Marsha texted Ashley about making poisoned brownies and expressed frustration that their previous attempts had failed. "He just needs to let go," she wrote.

Investigators learned that Harold had a $120,000 life insurance policy through his job. The duo's greed became evident as they plotted his demise using exotic poisons like Pong Pong seeds and water hemlock.

Ultimately, they settled on ethylene glycol for a poisoned root beer float. "If you put it in a root beer float... you're not gonna know until it's too late," Lt. Nicholson explained.

On December 19, 2022, Marsha served Harold the fatal concoction. The following day, he was found dead. Toxicology results later confirmed the presence of ethylene glycol in his system.

As investigators closed in on Marsha and Ashley, tragedy struck when Marsha was found dead in her home shortly after being questioned by police. Her death was ruled a suicide.

Ashley was arrested for her role in the conspiracy to murder Harold. During her police interview, she initially denied knowledge of any wrongdoing but later implicated her mother as the mastermind behind the plot.

With overwhelming evidence against her, Ashley accepted a plea deal in August 2025 for attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder, receiving a 50-year prison sentence.

The case raised questions about Ashley's past as well; her late husband Ty Jones had died under suspicious circumstances years earlier. His family suspected foul play and contacted authorities after hearing about Harold's death.

As investigations into Ty's death reopened, parallels between the two cases emerged. Lt. Nicholson remarked on the chilling similarities: "I believe it's way more than a coincidence." The Allen family continues to mourn Harold while grappling with the shocking revelations surrounding his death.