Ex-Husband Charged With Murder In Oswego Woman's Slaying

OSWEGO, IL — Oswego police have identified the Aurora man accused of stalking his ex-wife and stabbing her to death at her home on Valentine Way in Oswego.

Ashley Stewart, 41, was found dead in her home Tuesday afternoon.

Ryan D. Dodd, 44, is charged with first-degree murder, home invasion, armed violence, residential burglary and aggravated stalking — all felonies. He was arrested Tuesday afternoon and has since been taken to the Kendall County jail, where he remains as of Thursday, police said.

Oswego police received a 911 call at about 1:10 p.m. Tuesday from Stewart's husband, who told dispatchers he believed his wife was in danger after seeing, via home surveillance footage, a man chase her into their garage, Patch reported. The caller told police he believed the suspect was his wife's former husband.

Officers arrived at the house in the 400 block of Valentine Way and found Stewart unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the time.

Dodd followed Stewart as she entered her residence and attacked her, killing her with a knife, police determined in an investigation. Court records show the pair filed for divorce in 2021; it was granted in August 2022.

RELATED: Woman Found Slain After Surveillance Camera Shows Ex-Husband Chase Her Into Garage: Oswego Police

The Kendall County Coroner's Office conducted an autopsy Thursday that indicated Stewart sustained multiple sharp force injuries.

Dodd is scheduled to appear for a hearing Friday.