Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 2, 2026
Parole Denied for Jared Higgins in 2003 Murder of Michael Allen
ZANESVILLE, OHIO – The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office announces that the parole request of Jared Higgins, convicted in the 2003 murder of 21-year-old Michael Allen, has been denied. Higgins’ next parole consideration has been continued until 2032.
On August 6, 2003, Michael Allen was fatally shot while standing in the street outside his parents’ home on Spangler Drive in Zanesville. Allen, who was preparing to welcome the birth of his son, was just 21 years old when his life was taken.
That evening, officers with the Zanesville Police Department responded to reports of a shooting on Spangler Drive. Upon arrival, officers discovered Allen lying unresponsive in the roadway, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the back of his head. Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene but determined that lifesaving measures would be unsuccessful.
The subsequent investigation revealed that Allen had confronted three individuals who were walking along the street after neighbors reported disruptive behavior, including breaking bottles on the pavement. According to witness statements, Allen was speaking with one of the individuals, Jeremy Smith, when Higgins approached him from behind and placed a handgun against the back of his head.
Higgins fired the weapon, fatally striking Allen. The investigation determined that Allen died from a contact penetrating gunshot wound to the back of his head.
More than two decades later, Allen's family continues to live with the loss of a son and father whose life was cut tragically short. His death deprived him of the opportunity to raise his son and experience the milestones and memories that should have followed.
In an effort to honor her son’s memory, Allen’s mother personally brought a photograph of Michael to the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office to accompany this announcement. The photograph serves as a reminder that behind every homicide case is a life lost, a family forever changed, and a loved one who deserves to be remembered for more than the circumstances of their death.
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office’s commitment to justice does not end when a conviction is secured or a sentence is imposed. As offenders become eligible for parole consideration, Prosecutor Ron Welch and Victim Advocate Jessica Haug review original case files, revisit the circumstances of the crimes, speak with victims and their family, and prepare written objections to the Ohio Parole Board advocating against the release of offenders whose continued incarceration the office believes is warranted.
This process ensures that the facts surrounding these crimes, the severity of the offenses, and the lasting impact on victims and their families remain part of the parole board’s consideration, even decades after the original prosecution.
In Higgins’ case, the denial of parole means he will remain incarcerated, with his next parole consideration scheduled for 2032. The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office remains committed to advocating for victims and their families and ensuring that the passage of time does not diminish the importance of accountability.
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