Former Brampton firefighter guilty of wife’s murder

Warning: this story contains details of violence against women which some readers may find disturbing

A former Brampton firefighter has admitted to murdering his wife whose dead body was found in a staged car fire last year.

Last week, James Schwalm pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Ashley Milnes, whose body was found in a burned-out SUV in The Blue Mountains in January 2023, according to reports.

Court heard Schwalm strangled Milnes to death at their Collingwood home while their two children were asleep inside on Jan. 26. He then dressed her lifeless body in hiking clothes before putting her inside the SUV, according to an Agreed Statement of Fact.

A captain with Brampton Fire & Emergency Services at the time of the murder, Schwalm then drove the vehicle and crashed it down an embankment before setting the SUV on fire.

Milnes, 40, was found dead inside the vehicle. Police and Schwalm was charged with her second-degree murder on Feb. 2, 2023, a charge OPP sought to upgrade to first-degree later that month.

Former BFES Captain James Schwalm has pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of his wife Ashley Milnes in January 2023. (Photo retrieved from X)

Schwalm told investigators his wife took the SUV to go hiking and during the trial, court heard he took steps to cover his tracks including sending text messages to himself from his wife’s phone.

Investigators said he also used his computer to research how to erase an iPhone’s history and was believed to be looking for how to start a fire without leaving evidence.

The couple’s 10-year marriage was on the rocks at the time of the murder, court heard, and Schwalm had reportedly learned of an affair Milnes had with her boss before starting an extra-marital relationship of his own.

A Brampton firefighter for several years, Schwalm was promoted to fire captain in February 2019, but was fired following his arrest.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the impacted family and friends, and those grieving the loss during this very difficult time,” read a statement from the city in 2023.

Schwalm is expected to be back in court for a sentencing hearing in September.