Husband watched in horror over security camera as wife’s ex burst into their stunning home and stabbed her to death, police say
A terrified husband helplessly watched his wife’s ex barge into their Illinois home on a security camera before he stabbed her to death, according to police.
Ashley Stewart, 41, was found suffering from multiple stab wounds inside her home in Oswego, about an hour outside of Chicago, on Tuesday around 1pm.
Her husband, Adam Stewart, called 911 after he witnessed a man, whom he believed to be her ex-partner, Ryan Dodd, chasing after her and into their garage on home surveillance footage.
Authorities rushed to the home, but when they arrived, the mother of six was unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene, the Oswego Police Department said.
Dodd, 44, was arrested about 30 minutes later with the help of drone surveillance and canine search teams.
He was arrested after police located his vehicle, conducted a traffic stop, and took him into custody, authorities said.
The investigation soon revealed that Dodd ‘followed her as she entered her residence and attacked and killed her with a knife,’ police stated.
The department also released photos that appeared to show Dodd hiding behind bushes and surveilling the couple’s home around the time of her murder.
Adam Stewart watched his wife, Ashley, be chased into their Oswego, Illinois, home by her ex before she was stabbed to death on Tuesday, police say
Ryan Dodd, 44, was arrested about 30 minutes after his ex’s lifeless body was found with the help of drone surveillance and canine search teams
He was seen wearing a black jacket, a gray scarf, a gray hat, and a face covering as he stood in the snowy yard.
Police also shared an image of his gray SUV on Facebook, asking the public for help locating him before he was eventually apprehended.
It is unclear how long Dodd and Ashley were married or when they got divorced.
The former couple share multiple children together, ‘who are now without either biological parent,’ according to a GoFundMe page.
Ashley has been remembered as a loving mother to her children, including a two-year-old son she shared with Adam.
‘She was a devoted wife and loving mother, and her loss has left an immeasurable void in the lives of those who loved her,’ the page read.
The donation page was created to help Adam as he tries to navigate life for himself and his children without his beloved wife.
As of Monday morning, more than $52,000 had been raised.
The Oswego Police Department also shared eerie images that appeared to show Dodd outside the couple’s home around the time of Ashley’s murder
Ashley has been remembered as a loving mother of six. She had children with Dodd and a two-year-old with Adam
Her heartbroken friend Robin Ross said Ashley was a wonderful person who was passionate about the birthing community.
‘She was a devoted wife and loving mother, and her loss has left an immeasurable void in the lives of those who loved her,’ Ross, who was also Ashley’s doula, told NBC Chicago.
Ross added: ‘She really, really loved her family. She loved her kids. Nobody could ever, ever mistake how much love she put into her family.
‘Not only did this person take away the mother of six beautiful children, he took away my friend, he took away others’ friends.
‘He took away somebody who was genuinely trying to help others and had a bright future ahead of her,’ Ross continued.
Ashley with Adam and her children. Her friends said being a mother was the most important thing to her
Others took to Facebook to share their grief after losing Ashley.
‘My friend was murdered. By the hand of her ex-husband. One she was so strong to walk away from and endured so much at the hands of. Only for this. The shock has still not worn off,’ a friend posted.
Dodd has been charged with first-degree murder, home invasion, armed violence, residential burglary, and aggravated stalking.
He made his first court appearance on Friday and is being held at Kendall County Jail. He is due in court again on February 9, according to records reviewed by the Daily Mail.
The Daily Mail contacted the Oswego Police Department for comment.
