Dateline Tonight

Who Was Ashley Schwalm & What Happened to Her?

by · Published · Updated

Ashley Schwalm, known to many friends and family as AJ, grew up in north Toronto in a close and loving family. After losing her mother to cancer in 2004, Ashley became an essential source of stability for her siblings and extended relatives. Those who knew her described her as warm, honest, and steady‑spirited, with an approach to life that welcomed both joy and responsibility. Her ability to support others without softening the truth made her a trusted confidante and a reliable voice within her family.

Ashley was energetic and deeply connected to the outdoors. She loved hiking the trails around the Collingwood and Blue Mountain region, often accompanied by the family dog, Rocco. She was committed to wellness and sports, embracing running, golf, tennis, and skiing. Friends knew her for her deep loyalty, her ability to uplift others, and her habit of sending personalized, enthusiastic birthday video messages each year. Those close to her often spoke about her unmistakable laugh, which filled rooms and left a lasting impression on everyone who heard it.

Education and Career

Ashley held degrees from Dalhousie University and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. She began her career in interior design and home staging, eventually creating a strong portfolio of work admired across the Collingwood region. Later, she transitioned into project management, joining Blake Farrow Project Management in Collingwood. Her colleagues considered her organized, thoughtful, and respected.

Her career path reflected her ability to reinvent herself professionally. Whether working in design or managing complex construction projects, she carried a calm, steady presence that brought structure and confidence to those around her.

Marriage and Family Life

Ashley married James Schwalm in September 2012 in a large, meticulously planned wedding held at Craigleith Ski Club. The pair shared extensive history within the Collingwood ski community and seemed to have built a life that matched their ambitions and values. They bought a home in Collingwood, raised two young children, and fully integrated into the local ski and school communities.

By all outward appearances, the couple’s life reflected stability—solid careers, a close relationship with extended family, and a shared love for the outdoors. But behind that image, the marriage experienced strain after an affair came to light in early 2022. Though both Ashley and James attempted counseling, and Ashley changed jobs to create distance from the situation, the relationship continued to falter.

By the end of 2022, Ashley privately confided that she was considering a separation. She was focused on her well‑being and her children, telling friends that the coming year would mark a renewed effort to prioritize her happiness, health, and future.

The Events Leading to Her Death

On January 26, 2023, first responders discovered a burning SUV down an embankment on Arrowhead Road near Blue Mountain. A body was found inside, later confirmed through dental records to be Ashley’s. The scene initially resembled a tragic car accident, but investigators soon found troubling signs that contradicted that possibility.

Ashley had not died in a crash. A forensic pathologist determined her cause of death was strangulation due to neck compressions. She had already been dead before the vehicle was set on fire.

Over the coming days, investigators uncovered a staged narrative constructed by Ashley’s husband, James. He had sent himself text messages from Ashley’s phone, created a false alibi about walking the dog, staged the accident using gasoline, and left a lighter with his own initials at the scene. Surveillance footage, vehicle telematics, and inconsistencies in his story quickly unravelled the cover‑up.

Ashley had been killed in her home during the night. Her children were asleep upstairs, and both later reported hearing an argument. One heard her ask for her phone to call police. The next morning, James drove her body in her vehicle to Arrowhead Road, set the car on fire, abandoned it, and fled in a second vehicle he had staged as a getaway car.

Aftermath and Justice

James Schwalm was arrested within days. In 2024, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. In February 2025, he received a life sentence with no chance of parole for 20 years. The court prohibited him from contacting their children until they reach adulthood.

During the sentencing hearings, more than 20 victim impact statements were read. Family and friends described Ashley as the core of their lives—devoted, grounded, and endlessly loving. Her children’s guardians shared the long-term trauma the two young siblings continue to face. Ashley’s father addressed the court, speaking directly to James about the magnitude of his betrayal and the loss inflicted upon their family.

Remembering Ashley

Ashley Schwalm is remembered as a devoted mother, a supportive sister, and a fiercely loyal friend. Those who knew her described her as the anchor of her family—honest, dependable, joyful, and unafraid to show up for the people she loved.

In the wake of her death, family and friends established a fundraising initiative benefiting My Friend’s House, a Collingwood organization that provides safety and support to women and children affected by domestic violence. Through this work, they honor Ashley’s memory and support others who find themselves in vulnerable circumstances.

Ashley’s life continues to be defined not by the brutality of her final moments, but by the depth of her relationships, her generosity, her energy, and the impact she left on everyone who knew her.

More “Running Man”

More Feature Articles

Avatar photo

Ryan Gill

Ryan is a passionate follower of true crime television programs, reporting on and providing in-depth investigations on mysteries in the criminal world.

You may also like...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *