An Illinois woman was stabbed to death inside her own home after her ex-partner allegedly followed her into the garage, a violent moment her husband watched unfold live on home security footage.
Police say Ashley Stewart, 41, was attacked Tuesday afternoon in Oswego after Ryan Dodd, 44, tracked her movements, entered the property, and launched a fatal knife assault moments later.
Authorities say Stewart’s husband, Adam Stewart, called 911 around 1 p.m. after recognizing the man on the surveillance feed as his wife’s former partner and watching him chase her inside.
Officers rushed to the scene, but by the time police entered the home, Stewart was unresponsive and pronounced dead at the residence, according to the Oswego Police Department.
Investigators say the attack unfolded quickly and left no opportunity for intervention before fatal injuries were inflicted.
Dodd fled the area immediately after the stabbing, triggering a large-scale search involving drone surveillance and canine units deployed across the surrounding area.
Police say the search ended roughly 30 minutes later when officers located Dodd’s vehicle, initiated a traffic stop, and took him into custody without further incident.
Authorities allege Dodd followed Stewart as she entered her residence and stabbed her multiple times with a knife, killing her inside the home she shared with her family.
The department released images they say show Dodd lurking near the property shortly before the attack, partially concealed by bushes while monitoring the house.
Police say Dodd was seen wearing a black jacket, gray scarf, gray hat, and a face covering while standing in the snowy yard near the home.
Investigators also shared photos of a gray SUV believed to be connected to Dodd and asked the public for assistance locating the vehicle before the arrest was made.
Authorities have not disclosed how long Stewart and Dodd were together or when their relationship ended.
Dodd had reportedly been ordered to pay Stewart $15,000 per month in child support for their five children on December 22.
Stewart’s lawyer filed court documents on January 23, after he failed to pay his first installment of child support.
“Ryan’s failure to abide by the terms of the order … is willful and contemptuous,” the document stated. “Ryan has the ability to comply with this order … and his failure to do so has caused hardship for Ashley.”
Friends described Stewart as a devoted mother whose life centered on her children and her work supporting families.
Her friend, Robin Ross, described Stewart as deeply committed to helping others and building community.
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“She was a devoted wife and loving mother, and her loss has left an immeasurable void in the lives of those who loved her,” Ross told NBC Chicago.
Ross said Stewart’s dedication to her family was unmistakable to anyone who knew her.
“She really, really loved her family. She loved her kids. Nobody could ever, ever mistake how much love she put into her family,” Ross said.
Ross added that the loss extends beyond Stewart’s immediate family and has rippled through the wider community.
“Not only did this person take away the mother of six beautiful children, he took away my friend, he took away others’ friends,” she said.
“He took away somebody who was genuinely trying to help others and had a bright future ahead of her,” Ross continued.
Court records show Dodd made his first court appearance Friday and is being held at the Kendall County Jail.
He is scheduled to return to court Feb. 9, according to public records.
The Oswego killing unfolded as another high-profile domestic violence case moved forward in Ohio, drawing attention to repeated patterns of targeted attacks tied to former partners.
In that case, Illinois surgeon Michael McKee, 39, stands accused of killing his ex-wife Monique Tepe and her new husband Spencer Tepe inside their Ohio home.
Newly obtained court documents allege McKee made threatening statements toward Monique Tepe weeks before the fatal shooting.
A witness told Columbus police that McKee claimed he could “kill her at any time and would find her and buy the house right next to her,” according to a probable cause affidavit.
The affidavit also attributes another statement to McKee in which he allegedly said Monique Tepe “will always be his wife.”
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said McKee was armed when he was taken into custody following his arrest.
“Multiple weapons were taken from the property of McKee, and there is a preliminary link to one of the weapons that ties it to the homicides,” Bryant stated during a press conference.
“What we can say, this was a targeted attack. This was a domestic violence-related attack, as we know McKee is the ex-husband of Monique Tepe,” Bryant added.
McKee has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated murder and burglary tied to the Dec. 30 shooting deaths of Monique Tepe, 39, and Spencer Tepe, 37.
He is being held without bond and faces a potential life sentence if convicted.
Another witness cited in the affidavit told police that Monique Tepe previously reported being choked and subjected to forced sexual contact by her ex-husband.
Security footage reviewed by investigators allegedly captured McKee entering the Tepe home on Dec. 6 while the couple was away.
Authorities say McKee remained inside the residence for several hours before leaving.
Court documents state the couple was attending the Big Ten Championship game in Indiana that day.
After Monique Tepe left the event early, Spencer Tepe reportedly told friends she was upset over an issue involving her ex-husband, according to the affidavit.
Police later discovered the couple’s bodies after a friend arrived at the home and found Spencer Tepe lying in a pool of blood, according to a 911 transcript released by authorities.
The couple’s two young children were found unharmed inside the home, officials said.
Following his arrest, newly released video showed McKee being processed at the Franklin County Corrections Center.
Footage obtained by Fox News shows McKee walking through intake calmly, wearing a jacket with his hands in his pockets.
Officers patted him down, instructed him through processing steps, and issued jail clothing as he remained compliant and quiet.
Authorities say both cases underscore how quickly domestic conflicts can escalate into fatal violence when former partners reinsert themselves into victims’ lives.
