James Schwalm sentenced for murdering wife Ashley Milnes

James Schwalm has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife, Ashley Milnes. Initially, her death was thought to be a tragic car accident, but an investigation revealed she had been strangled before her body was burned in her vehicle. Schwalm staged the scene to make it look like an accident, sending fake text messages to support his story. He was arrested after evidence linked him to the crime, including searches on his phone about alimony and methods of killing. In November 2024, Schwalm pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He expressed remorse for his actions, while Ashley's family described the impact of her loss and their ongoing care for her two children.