20/20: The After Show – “Footprints in the Snow”

Podcast: 20/20 After Show
Host: Deborah Roberts (ABC News)
Guest: Juju Chang (ABC News Correspondent)
Episode Date: February 16, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of 20/20’s After Show offers an in-depth look at the chilling true crime story featured in “Footprints in the Snow.” The case centers on the murder of Ashley Schwalm, a beloved mother and interior designer, whose seemingly perfect life unraveled into tragedy. Found burned beyond recognition in her car at the bottom of a snowy ditch, what initially seemed like a tragic accident is revealed to be a calculated murder—one involving subtle clues, new forensic techniques, and the unraveling of a picture-perfect marriage. Deborah Roberts and Juju Chang break down key evidence, discuss behind-the-scenes details, and reflect on the impact of the crime and trial.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Portrait of the Victim and Family

• Ashley Schwalm: Described as vibrant, fun, “the life of the party,” and a devoted mother and interior designer. Her family and friends remember her as someone who “lit up the room.”

  • “She would dance on tables and celebrate. She was the kind of mom people would refer to as the fun mom.” (Juju Chang, 04:15)

• James Schwalm: A respected firefighter with a public persona and a seemingly idyllic marriage to Ashley. The family was known as the “million dollar family”—one son, one daughter, perfect home.

  • “He would do public service announcements on fire safety... have his six pack abs out.” (Juju Chang, 04:50)

2. From Apparent Accident to Suspicion

• Discovery: Ashley’s body was found burned inside her car, which had veered off the road at low speed, in an area beside a ski slope.
• First Clues: Unusual aspects of the fiery crash raised suspicion—especially how the fire burned so hot and long, and the presence of accelerants.
  • “Whoever was driving the car... it was a slow speed crash. So the question was, how did it burn so hot for so long?” (Juju Chang, 06:26)

3. The Role of Forensics & The “Snow” Detail

• Forensic Innovation: Entire car was transported to Toronto’s Centre for Forensic Sciences to preserve evidence. Key findings included gasoline traces on her socks and a notable absence of soot in her lungs, indicating Ashley was dead before the fire.

  • “They lifted the entire car...so it was inside this center they removed her body. They found traces of gasoline on her socks.” (Juju Chang, 07:17)

• Crucial Clue—Footprints: iPhone photos taken by a passerby revealed footprints in the snow away from the crash site, suggesting another individual left the scene.

  • “...what they saw were footprints in the snow away from the car crash, meaning somebody else was in that driver's seat.” (Juju Chang, 17:03)

4. Dismantling the Alibi

• James’ Alibi: Claimed he was out walking his dog and reinforced his story with surveillance footage and text messages. But, when police canvassed surveillance cameras along the supposed dog walk, he appeared on none, despite the investigators being captured on eight cameras during a reenactment.

  • “He was a ghost? He was not captured by any of those cameras, which really blew a hole in his alibi.” (Juju Chang, 12:01)
  • Texts sent from Ashley’s phone appeared too convenient, offering explanations that fit the narrative suspiciously well.

• Suspicious Dialogue: At a party prior to the murder, James asked a doctor if it was possible “to kill someone by snapping their neck, like in a Steven Seagal movie.” (Juju Chang, 15:49)

5. The Smoking Gun(s): Lighter, Insurance, and Motive

• Physical Evidence: A Zippo lighter monogrammed with James’s initials was found in the wrecked car.

  • “...literally a zippo lighter that had the monogram of the husband's name on it.” (Juju Chang, 15:36)

• Life Insurance and Marital Strain: James had recently purchased a life insurance policy against Ashley and was upset about a brief affair Ashley had a year prior, despite reconciliation efforts.

  • “...there was some motivation...he bought life insurance against her.” (Juju Chang, 17:31)

6. Impact of Forensics and Circumstantial Evidence

• The combination of forensics (soot-free lungs, gasoline, car fire, footprints), circumstantial evidence (alibi inconsistencies, lighter, life insurance, motive), and digital evidence (texts, surveillance gaps) gave police enough to charge James with murder.

• Firefighter Irony: The fact that the alleged killer was a firefighter added a chilling layer, as his knowledge of fire played a key role both in the execution and unmasking of the crime.

  • “...a woman dying in a fiery crash and she’s married to a firefighter...that was kind of the fatal flaw.” (Deborah Roberts, 18:41)

7. Legal Process, Family Impact & Legacy

• Plea Deal: James ultimately pleaded guilty to second-degree murder to spare his children from testifying. Under Canadian law, he is eligible for parole in 20 years—a lighter sentence compared to U.S. expectations.

  • “...he could be eligible for parole in 20 years.” (Juju Chang, 22:41)

• Family & Community Response: Twenty-one victim impact statements were read. Ashley’s loved ones channeled their grief into advocacy, supporting domestic violence survivors via the organization “My Friend’s House” and memorial walks in Ashley’s honor.

  • “Her legacy... is through this organization called My Friend’s House, which deals with survivors of domestic violence.” (Juju Chang, 22:58)

• Siblings & Grief: The bond among Ashley’s siblings was profound; her death left “a giant hole in this family fabric.”

  • “I think it's worth remembering that it's never just one victim. There are families on many sides who have been impacted by this.” (Juju Chang, 25:50)

Memorable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On Ashley’s Personality:
  • “She would dance on tables and celebrate... the fun mom who would get on the floor and play with her kids.” (Juju Chang, 04:15)
• On Forensic Evidence:
  • “They realized her lungs didn’t have any soot inside them, which it would have if she had died in that fire.” (Juju Chang, 07:17)
• Discovering the Truth:
  • “They found traces of gasoline on her socks.” (Juju Chang, 07:17)
• On the Husband’s Alibi:
  • “He was a ghost. He was not captured by any of those cameras, which really blew a hole in his alibi.” (Juju Chang, 12:01)
• On the Key Forensic Clue:
  • “...what they saw were footprints in the snow away from the car crash...” (Juju Chang, 17:03)
• On the Marriage and Motive:
  • “...he bought life insurance against her. And he also...was very upset...about a brief affair that Ashley had had before...” (Juju Chang, 17:31)
• On the Legal Process:
  • “Both their son and their young daughter were ear witnesses or eyewitnesses...” (Juju Chang, 21:45)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Background on the Schwalms & Marriage – 01:17–05:27
• Crash Discovery and Police Suspicions – 06:26–08:19
• Forensic Investigation & Evidence – 07:17–08:19, 15:33–17:31
• Husband’s Alibi Discredited & Surveillance – 11:23–12:39
• Key Forensic Clue (Footprints) – 17:03–17:07
• Motive (Marriage Trouble, Insurance, Affair) – 17:31–18:29
• Legal Process & Family Aftermath – 21:07–24:21
• Victim Impact & Advocacy – 22:58–24:21
• Ashley’s Sister & Family Grief – 25:21–25:50

Tone and Atmosphere

The conversation is intimate yet analytical, blending the empathy for Ashley’s family with the precision and curiosity of seasoned journalists. Both Deborah and Juju evoke frustration and sadness that such crimes keep happening, and stress the hope that stories like Ashley’s serve as warnings and lessons for others.

Summary

In “Footprints in the Snow,” Deborah Roberts and Juju Chang dissect a harrowing murder case where surface perfection masked marital strain and ultimately, deadly betrayal. Through expert criminal investigation, forensics, and personal testimony, a husband’s carefully constructed façade unraveled. The episode weaves together the emotional aftermath for the victim’s family and the broader cautionary tale—revealing both the meticulous work of investigators and the tragic ripple effects of domestic violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, confidential support is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.