Post Mortem | The Root Beer Float Murder

The Post Mortem episode of 48 Hours delves into the chilling case of Harold Allen's murder, which was initially ruled a natural death due to cardiac issues. Nine months later, a burglary at Marcia Allen's home led to the discovery of incriminating text messages between her and her daughter Ashley, revealing a months-long plot to poison Harold using exotic substances like pong pong seeds, water hemlock, and ethylene glycol—hidden in a root beer float. Despite Harold's history of health problems and the lack of initial toxicology screening, evidence from recovered texts and a retested blood sample confirmed ethylene glycol poisoning. Marcia’s suicide shortly after police questioning, coupled with her cryptic note 'I did not kill my husband. You win, Ashley,' deepens the mystery of guilt and motive. While prosecutors believe both women were equally responsible, Ashley later claimed she was merely following her mother’s lead. The episode also reveals Ashley’s alleged post-incarceration plotting of additional murders, including her best friend and his mother, while in jail. Further suspicion arises regarding Ashley’s first husband Ty Jones, whose 2019 death from heart issues may have been a murder, supported by a text referencing his lighter weight compared to Harold. The case remains under investigation, with no charges filed against Ashley for Ty’s death, but the emotional impact on Ty’s family is profound.