The Jackson community is reeling from the tragic death of 24-year-old Maleah Bess, a beloved apartment manager at Westwood Apartments, who was allegedly shot and killed by her husband, Ron Allen, earlier this week.
Friends say Bess had been working hard to build a stable and independent life, describing her as a mature, career-driven young woman who cared deeply for those around her.
Her friend Maniesha Simmons shared that Bess had recently moved out of the home she shared with Allen out of concern for her safety.
“She didn’t want to leave him, but she had to for her safety,” Simmons said, recalling that Allen had been harassing Bess at her job in the days leading up to the shooting.
Bess’ roommate also recounted an unsettling detail: she had seen Allen just the day before the tragedy.
“He was at my house, on my couch. There was nothing alarming,” she said.
Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade reported that investigators believe Bess was already deceased before Allen barricaded himself inside the apartment building, though officers could not confirm her condition during the active scene.
“She worked here, and he came and took her life,” Wade said. “Some people don’t know how to handle emotions or someone moving on.”
Friends and loved ones say Bess’ death is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers many face when leaving an abusive or unsafe relationship. Simmons urged others to take threats seriously, even if they seem unlikely.
“Even if you doubt they’d harm you, if they threaten you once, take it seriously,” she said.
Allen is currently being held in county jail on multiple charges.
The loss of Maleah Bess has left a painful void in the lives of those who knew her, a young woman whose ambition, kindness, and strength were cut short far too soon.
