Where is James Schwalm now? Details explored from the Ashley Schwalm case on Dateline 

Dateline's two-hour special episode investigates a murder that reverberated throughout the tight-knit town of Collingwood, Ontario, in January 2023 and received national attention. The body of Ashley Schwalm, 40, a mother of two and a project coordinator, was found inside her burned SUV. Initially, it seemed to be a hiking accident.

However, investigations showed she was strangled by her husband, James Schwalm, a former fire captain, who then tried to cover up the crime by setting the vehicle on fire. The case, replete with marital troubles, affairs, and financial strains, ended with James pleading guilty to second-degree murder.

Today, James Schwalm serves a life sentence in an Ontario correctional facility without parole eligibility for 20 years. This tragic story was revisited in NBC's two-hour Dateline special, titled Running Man, which aired on November 14, 2025. Viewers can stream the episode on Peacock or watch reruns on NBC.

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Dateline: Who is James Schwalm, and where is he now?

James Schwalm was sentenced to 20 years in prison(Image via Unsplash/@Larry Farr/ Dateline)

James Schwalm had a solid career in public service. After years of commitment to emergency response, he joined the Brampton Fire and Emergency Services in his early 20s and became a fire captain by 2021. James was well-known among his coworkers for his calmness and physical fitness.

In the early 2010s, he met Ashley Milnes at a ski club, and they got married in 2012 at the same location. Together, they balanced hectic schedules with neighborhood events while raising a son and a daughter at their Collingwood home, as per People.

Around 2018, pressures from work and financial concerns began to show through the façade. Ashley had more than $1 million in life insurance policies that James owned, which later became an issue in the case. He strangled her at home during a late-night argument in January 2023, then drove her body to a wooded area and set her SUV on fire to simulate an accident.

He was first charged with second-degree murder when he was arrested on January 28, 2023, but due to evidence of planning, the charge was later changed to first-degree murder, according to Global News. James pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in June 2024, sparing a full trial. He also expressed remorse for his actions in court statements.

On February 10, 2025, in Barrie Superior Court, Justice Michelle Fuerst imposed a life sentence with a 20-year parole eligibility period. The judge also issued a no-contact order, which protects his children until they reach the age of 18.

James is in a provincial correctional facility in Ontario. The Brampton Fire Department terminated his employment after his arrest, effectively ending his public service career, according to CBC.

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The unraveling of the Schwalm marriage

James Schwalm strangulated Ashley for money (Image via Unsplash/@Scott Rodgerson/ Dateline)

The Schwalms' marriage began solidly but eventually deteriorated due to daily stresses. Ashley, a sports fan and project manager, flourished in her work at a design firm while raising their family. James became isolated as a result of his lengthy firefighting shifts, which left little time for social interaction.

By 2022, James found out about Ashley's affair with her boss. In an effort to patch things up, Ashley changed jobs, and the couple sought counseling. However, James later started dating Alexandra, the former boss's wife, and they shared their frustrations about his home life; trust further deteriorated, as reported by People.

Financial talks added tension; James searched online about divorce costs and alimony in Ontario. He also asked a friend if one would die if someone snapped one's neck, as per CBC News. Texts to Alexandra revealed his growing detachment, with one message in January 2023 stating he sought his own happiness.

On January 25, neighbors heard arguments coming from their home, and the children woke up due to the noise. The son recalled Ashley pleading for her phone, while the daughter described a loud thump, as reported by Toronto Life.

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The murder, investigation, and aftermath on Dateline

James strangled Ashley during the altercation on January 26, 2023, between 3 and 4 a.m. He later dressed her in hiking gear and put her body in her SUV. He drove the car into a ditch close to the Alpine Ski Club, filled it with gasoline, and set it on fire. However, footprints and his initialed lighter, which were important clues in the investigation, were left behind, according to Toronto Life.

Around six in the morning, a bystander reported the fire; firefighters discovered the body, and an autopsy revealed that the victim had been strangled rather than burned. James's excuse of going on an early hike was exposed after the Ontario Provincial Police found vehicle footage, cell phone data, and text messages from his location that linked him to the crime, as per People.

James and Ashley's children are currently under the care of Ashley's brother, David, and sister-in-law, Tia Milnes. Funds raised in Ashley's name support a local domestic abuse shelter.

Also read: Nikki Orvin case on Mother, May I Murder? - A complete timeline of events

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Watch Dateline's special episode Running Man streaming on NBC and Peacock.

Edited by Riya Peter