A close friend of an Illinois woman who was allegedly stabbed to death by her ex-husband is now sharing her memories, as the community continues to mourn a shocking and heartbreaking crime.
Friend Remembers Ashley Stewart
Police in Oswego first confirmed on Tuesday, January 27, that a woman had been found dead inside her home. She was later identified as Ashley Stewart, a 41-year-old mother of six. Speaking to ABC7 Chicago on Friday, January 30, Stewart’s friend, Robin Ross, described her as a warm and loving person who always put others first.
“Ashley was a beacon of light,” Ross said. “She was an amazing mother and wife.” Her words reflect the deep pain felt by those who knew Stewart personally.
What Police Say Happened
According to a press release from the Oswego Police Department, officers were called to Stewart’s home shortly after 1 p.m. local time on January 28. Her husband had contacted police after seeing alarming footage on a home security camera.
Police said the caller reported that he saw a man follow Stewart into their garage and feared she was in danger. Officers arrived and found Stewart unresponsive inside the home. Paramedics later pronounced her dead at the scene.
About 30 minutes later, officers spotted a vehicle matching the suspect’s car driving on a nearby road. The driver was stopped, detained without incident, and taken into custody.
Suspect Identified and Charged
Investigators later identified the suspect as 44-year-old Ryan Dodd of Aurora, Illinois. Police said Dodd was Stewart’s ex-husband. According to investigators, he followed her into her residence and attacked her with a knife.
An autopsy conducted by the Kendall County Coroner’s Office revealed that Stewart suffered multiple sharp-force injuries, confirming she was stabbed to death.
Dodd has now been charged with several serious crimes, including:
- First-degree murder
- Home invasion
- Armed violence
- Residential burglary
- Aggravated stalking
He is currently being held at the Kendall County Jail.
Community Support and GoFundMe Effort
In the wake of Stewart’s death, a GoFundMe page has been set up to support her family. The fundraiser describes her loss as leaving “an immeasurable void” in the lives of everyone who loved her.
The page also explains that Stewart’s husband, Adam Stewart, is now facing the painful reality of grieving his wife while becoming the sole provider and primary caregiver for their two-year-old son, Syler, as well as Ashley’s other young children, who are now without either biological parent.
Police Reassure Public, Ask for Help
Oswego police said the incident was isolated and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. However, they have asked local residents to help with the investigation.
Police urged neighbours to review any home security or doorbell camera footage from the afternoon of the incident. Residents were also asked to check around their garbage bins and yards for anything unusual. If anything suspicious is found, police advised people not to touch it and to call 911 immediately.
