James Schwalm Now. Inside the Former Fire Captain’s Life After Killing His Wife and Attempting to Cover It Up with Arson

Former firefighter James Schwalm was arrested for killing his wife, Ashley, before attempting to hide the crime by staging a car accident and setting her body on fire.

The case was detailed in a Nov. 14 episode of Dateline, and it carried personal significance for correspondent Andrea Canning, who grew up in Collingwood, Ontario — the same town where the tragedy occurred. “I never expected to cover a Dateline in my own backyard,” she said in a preview of the episode.

Who is James Schwalm?

James (known as “Jamie” among friends) grew up in the Toronto area with two younger sisters. After high school, he pursued firefighting and later became a captain with Brampton Fire and Emergency Services, according to Toronto Life.

He frequently visited Craigleith Ski Club in the Blue Mountains, where he met Ashley in the early 2010s. Ashley, also from Toronto, was starting her own interior design company. Friends recalled her kindness and ability to make others feel important.

The couple married at the ski club in 2012 during an elaborate ceremony celebrating their shared love of nature. They purchased a home in Collingwood, eventually welcoming a son and daughter. But by 2018, financial strain and marital issues began to escalate.

Events Leading to Ashley’s Death

By 2021, both struggled with demanding schedules and dwindling finances. Ashley started a new job and later entered an affair with her boss, Steve, early in 2022, per CBC News. Both spouses learned of the affair in April and attempted to salvage their marriage through counseling.

Despite efforts, tensions persisted. James confided uncertainty about the relationship to his family, while Ashley did the same. James then secretly began seeing Alexandra — Steve’s now-ex-wife — and confessed he wanted a future with her. Days before the murder, James reportedly inquired about killing someone by snapping their neck and spoke to friends about messy custody battles and legal expenses.

Ashley had two life insurance policies — $250,000 designated for their children, and $1 million payable to James.

The Night of the Murder

On Jan. 25, 2023, an argument between the couple awakened their children. Their son, then 9, later told police that he saw his mother attempting to reach for her phone to call 911. Their 6-year-old daughter reported hearing a loud thud.

Police determined James strangled Ashley during the confrontation. He changed her clothes to make it appear she was heading on a hike, placed her in her car, and drove to a remote area. After dousing the vehicle in gasoline, he staged text messages between their phones to fake a timeline and set the car ablaze following a deliberate crash attempt.

James then staged a hike nearby and returned home as if nothing had happened.

How Investigators Connected the Crime to James

Authorities discovered the burning vehicle within hours and notified James. He claimed Ashley had gone hiking and suggested fumes from the car might have caused an accident.

But inconsistencies quickly surfaced:

• Ashley’s body was found in the passenger seat
• Footprints near the driver’s side didn’t match James’ narrative
• Surveillance video contradicted his claim that he was walking the dog
• Searches on his phone included inquiries about burning cars and deleting iPhone data

Crucially, the autopsy determined strangulation — not fire — caused Ashley’s death. A lighter with James’ initials was also recovered near the scene.
He was arrested on Feb. 2, 2023.

Where Is James Now?

James was initially charged with first-degree murder and indignity to a body. By June 2024, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. In court that November, he said he despised his actions and knew he deserved imprisonment, per Global News.

In February 2025, he received a life sentence with no chance of parole for 20 years.

Ashley’s brother and his wife are caring for the children, who have relocated for a fresh start. James is prohibited from contacting them until they reach adulthood.

Andrea Canning’s Connection to the Case

Canning’s roots in Collingwood made the story especially personal, as she began her reporting career in the same region. She interviewed law enforcement, colleagues, and locals who knew the Schwalms.

She also revealed that both her own family and Ashley’s family had long supported a local domestic violence shelter. “We never really knew anyone who was affected until now,” she said, noting how the community hopes the case will raise awareness and help prevent future tragedies.