Is there a new episode of Dateline this week (November 14, 2025)? Explained

Dateline is back this week with a one-hour special new episode airing on November 14, 2025. The episode, titled Running Man, will air on NBC at 9 pm ET.

This week’s episode features host Andrea Canning, who is back in her hometown of Blue Mountain, Ontario. Canning returns to the small Canadian hamlet to examine a tragic case.

The case involves the mysterious death of a young mother, Ashley Schwalm, whose remains were discovered in a burned-out car in a remote wooded area.

Running Man focuses on Ashley Schwalm, whose death shocked the community. After investigating a web of links, detectives found a horrific sequence of events that implicated Ashley's protector.

A probe into Ashley's loved ones reveals deception, greed, and murder.

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Dateline is coming with an all-new episode this Friday

Dateline's Running Man is airing on November 14, 2025 on NBC (Image via Unsplash)

On November 14, 2025, Dateline will bring viewers an unsettling mystery with its episode titled Running Man. The episode explores the disturbing discovery of Ashley’s body in a car engulfed in flames, setting the stage for a complex investigation into her untimely death.

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The true story behind the mystery

Ashley Schwalm, a young mother from Ontario, was discovered in a burned-out vehicle on the morning of January 26, 2023, in a remote area near the Blue Mountains.

The situation turned darker after it was initially thought to be a car accident. Police believe the incident was staged after seeing footprints near the automobile. They also concluded that the car was intentionally set on fire, making it unlikely that Ashley perished naturally.

As the investigation progressed, detectives learned that Ashley had been involved in a troubled marriage with James Schwalm, a local firefighter. James, who had a reputation as a good Samaritan and a beloved member of his community, was quickly brought under suspicion.

Further investigation revealed that James had been facing personal struggles, including his wife’s affair, and financial concerns that may have motivated him to take drastic actions.

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The investigation and key findings

Dateline's Running Man is airing on November 14, 2025 on NBC (Image via Unsplash)

The investigation revealed a man who may have gone to extremes to maintain his life and finances. James Schwalm was severely affected by Ashley's affair and would inherit a lot if she died, as she had two life insurance policies.

The timeline of Ashley's death raised suspicion. James drove one of the family's cars out of their house early that morning. After Ashley's phone sent odd text messages, the case became more confusing. Despite the strange day, these signals suggested Ashley had planned a trek. However, evidence at the crash site suggested foul play, and detectives discovered a darker reason for the apparent “accident.”

Detectives found James's behavior surrounding Ashley's death suspicious as they investigated him. As an experienced firefighter, James knew how to hide. As per Toronto Life, he strangled Ashley and then dressed her in hiking clothes before he placed her body in her car. He then drove the vehicle to the Alpine Ski Club parking lot and poured gasoline all over it.

He then drove for another minute, stepped out of the car, and allowed the car to drive off an edge. He then threw a lighter onto the car, and it caught fire.

The evidence implicated James, despite his efforts to cover it up. James killed Ashley out of wrath and desperation, according to the inquiry. Personal grudges, financial concerns, and the desire to cover up his wife's adultery drove him to commit the crime.

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The new episode of Dateline, Running Man, will air this Friday, November 14, 2025.