The Oswego Police Department has identified the man accused of stalking his ex-wife and fatally stabbing her in her home on Valentine Way in Oswego. Ryan D. Dodd, 44, from Aurora, has been arrested and charged with multiple serious crimes, including first-degree murder, home invasion, armed violence, residential burglary, and aggravated stalking. The charges stem from the tragic death of Ashley Stewart, 41, whose body was discovered on Tuesday afternoon at her residence.
According to Oswego police, they received a 911 call at approximately 1:10 p.m. from Stewart’s current husband, who reported a disturbing incident after observing via home surveillance footage that a man was chasing Stewart into the garage. The caller expressed his belief that the suspect was Stewart’s ex-husband, Ryan Dodd. Police quickly responded to the scene at the 400 block of Valentine Way and found Stewart unresponsive. She was later pronounced dead at the scene.
A thorough investigation revealed that Dodd had followed Stewart into her home and attacked her, stabbing her multiple times with a knife. Court records show that Stewart and Dodd filed for divorce in 2021, which was finalized in August 2022. Despite the divorce, it appears Dodd continued to harass and stalk Stewart in the months following their separation.
The Kendall County Coroner’s Office performed an autopsy on Thursday, confirming that Stewart died from multiple sharp force injuries consistent with a stabbing. The investigation further revealed that Dodd’s violent actions on Tuesday were a culmination of ongoing harassment, which had escalated into deadly violence.
Dodd was arrested later that afternoon and transported to the Kendall County jail. He remains in custody as of Thursday, facing the serious charges against him. Dodd is scheduled for a court hearing on Friday, where more details of the case may be presented.
This tragic incident has shocked the Oswego community, and residents are grappling with the reality of the senseless loss of a mother, daughter, and friend. The case has also drawn attention to the disturbing issue of domestic violence and stalking, as authorities stress the importance of recognizing and addressing patterns of abusive behavior before they escalate to violence.
As the legal process unfolds, the family and friends of Ashley Stewart continue to mourn her untimely death. Community members have expressed their condolences and support for those affected by this heartbreaking event.