What we know about Collingwood man accused of murder in his wife's death
The Craigleith ski community, where James and Ashley Schwalm were members for years, is shaken by the news of Ashley's death.
"Beautiful person, lovely children, great family, her family has been long-time members of the club, and we're just thinking about her family and her children at this time," says Craigleith Ski Club General Manager Jeff Courtemanche.
The couple was married at the ski club in 2012, and those close to them say they were well-known in the community.
Collingwood resident Ashley Schwalm, 40, was found dead inside a vehicle in the Blue Mountains on January 26.
OPP responded shortly before 6 a.m. to a fatal single-vehicle crash on Arrowhead Road, south of Highway 26.
Police say a grey SUV travelling north left the road, continued down an embankment and caught fire.
It is still unclear whether Ashley died due to the collision, the fire, or before the vehicle left the roadway.
Her husband, 38-year-old James Schwalm and former Brampton fire captain, has been charged with second-degree murder and indignity to a dead body.
Ashley leaves behind two children, a girl and a boy under the age of 10.
"Obviously a terrible tragedy, the entire ski community is shaken from this, and right now, really, our thoughts and prayers are just with Ashley's children and her family," says Courtemanche.
James Schwalm remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on February 17.
The investigation is continuing.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Collingwood OPP at 705-445-4321 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.
Closing arguments heard in trial for Sask. dad accused of abducting daughter
Closing arguments were heard Thursday morning in the case of Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter in 2021 to keep her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.