Mary Elizabeth Laven, a 65-year-old woman from Fountain, Florida, tragically lost her life on March 4, 2020. Mary, who was born on August 3, 1955, was known for her love of animals and her hobbies, which included crochet and ceramics. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mark Laven. Mary spent many years working in the service industry and later retired after a few years in retail service. She was a beloved mother and grandmother, leaving behind her sons, Stephen B.
Jones and Jason Jones, as well as three grandchildren.
The circumstances surrounding Mary Elizabeth Laven's death were both shocking and tragic. On the day of her death, Mary was shot three times in her home on the family’s property in Fountain by her son, Jason Kenneth Jones. Following the shooting, Jason set his mother's house on fire. He then pursued his girlfriend and her minor child as they fled the scene, shooting at them multiple times and injuring his girlfriend in the hip. His girlfriend managed to escape and hide in a nearby residence after being shot. Jason continued his rampage by shooting a bystander, Djuna Marlene Newman, twice in the face, resulting in her death.
Jason Kenneth Jones was apprehended by Bay County Sheriff's Office deputies after a 24-hour manhunt. He was charged with two counts of second-degree murder with a firearm for the deaths of his mother, Mary Elizabeth Laven, and the bystander, Djuna Marlene Newman. Additionally, he faced one count of attempted second-degree murder with a firearm for the attack on his girlfriend. In July 2021, a Bay County jury convicted Jason of these charges, and he faced life in prison.
The case of Mary Elizabeth Laven's death highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence and the tragic consequences it can have on families and communities. The legal proceedings that followed ensured that justice was served for Mary and the other victims involved in this heartbreaking incident.
