An Aurora man is behind bars today after police say he broke into his ex-wife’s home and killed her.
The attack happened Tuesday afternoon in the 400-block of Valentine Way in Oswego.
Officers arrived at the scene around 1:10 p.m. to find 41-year-old Ashley A. Stewart unresponsive.
The Kendall County Coroner’s Office confirmed Stewart died from multiple stab wounds.
Police have charged her ex-husband, 44-year-old Ryan D. Dodd, with first-degree murder.
The tragedy began when a witness spotted a man running across Wolfs Crossing Road.
The victim’s current husband, Adam, saw the horror unfold on his home surveillance system.
He told dispatchers he saw a man, who he believed was Dodd, chase his wife into their garage.
Investigators say Dodd followed Stewart into the house and attacked her with a knife.
Officers caught Dodd shortly after the witness report and took him into custody.
Dodd faces several felony charges, including home invasion, armed violence, and aggravated stalking.
He is currently being held at the Kendall County Jail awaiting a Friday court hearing.
Neighborhood Safety
Oswego is known as a quiet, family-oriented suburb, but domestic violence remains a serious concern.
The Prescott Mill and Hudson Pointe neighborhoods are typically low-crime areas where residents feel secure.
However, this incident follows a trend of increasing domestic disputes reported across the west suburbs.
Oswego police are now asking neighbors in the Prescott Mill, Hudson Pointe, and Echelon areas to check their cameras.
They are specifically looking for footage from Tuesday that might show Dodd’s movements.
Authorities also want residents to check their trash cans and yards for any discarded evidence.
This case has shaken the community, prompting local leaders to remind residents about domestic violence resources.
If you or someone you know is in danger, the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7.
Remembering Ashley Stewart
As the investigation continues, those who knew Ashley are coming forward to share memories of the woman she was.
Friends describe her as a devoted mother and a woman of deep faith who loved Jesus.
She was well-known in the local homebirth community and was often praised for her soft-spoken kindness.
One close acquaintance recalled working with her on several photography sessions over the last three years.
“She was extremely beautiful and highly intelligent,” the friend shared while reflecting on their time together.
The friend described the chilling moment she heard the news and frantically tried to call and text Ashley.
“I called her to make sure it wasn’t her,” she said, expressing the heartbreak felt by many in the community.
Another colleague from the health and advocacy world described Ashley as a “brilliant and beautiful” fighter.
She recalled meeting Ashley in Ohio and being so impressed by her brilliance that she flew her from Chicago to lead a training course in 2019.
“Her training course was top notch and I took it and ran with all I learned,” the colleague shared.
She noted that much of what she teaches others today is based on the foundations Ashley built.
Friends are now calling for prayers of comfort for Ashley’s children, who are facing an unimaginable heartache.
“The world was stolen of her brilliance and her fight,” the advocate added, noting that Ashley fought hard for everything she had.
Ashley leaves behind her husband, Adam, and several children who are now grieving this sudden loss.
Loved ones are finding comfort in photos and videos, vowing to remember her spirit and her kindness.
