Caleb Flynn is charged with one count of murder, two counts of felonious assault with a deadly weapon, and two counts of tampering with evidence.

Former American Idol contestant charged with murdering his wife

Caleb Flynn is charged with one count of murder, two counts of felonious assault with a deadly weapon, and two counts of tampering with evidence.

By Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on *Entertainment Tonight* and Popsugar.

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February 20, 2026 2:44 p.m. ET

Caleb C. Flynn's mugshot. Credit:

Miami County Sheriff Department

Caleb C. Flynn, a former *American Idol* contestant, was arrested Thursday in connection with the killing of his wife, Ashley Flynn.

Flynn, 39, is currently facing one count of murder, two counts of felonious assault with a deadly weapon, and two counts of tampering with evidence in the Feb. 16 death of his 37-year-old wife, court records reviewed by ** show.

Flynn pleaded not guilty to all charges during his arraignment on Friday, according to court records.

Ashley was found dead in her home in the 900 block of Cunningham Court in Tipp City, Ohio, early on Monday morning, Dayton-area TV station *WHIO* reported. A 911 caller, later identified as Flynn, said someone broke into their house and shot Ashley, and their two children were inside the home.

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According to *The Dayton Daily News*, Flynn told 911 dispatchers he didn't see anyone in the house, but the garage door was open. The newspaper reported that an officer who went to the house found a side door to the garage open. The door had a large fridge in front of it that would have needed to be pushed to open the door.

The outlet noted that a report from Tipp City police also explained that the center console of a truck in the house's garage was open, and Flynn said that's where his handgun had been located. Ashley was pronounced dead at the scene.

Caleb Flynn on 'American Idol' in 2013.

"The Tipp City Police Department appreciates the community's patience and support while this collaborative investigative team worked diligently on this complex case. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the many agencies that have assisted — and continue to assist — in this investigation involving a tragic loss of life," Tipp City Police Chief Greg Adkins told reporters Thursday.

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Flynn and Ashley, a substitute teacher and school volleyball coach, respectively, were church members of the Christian Life Center in Butler Township, where Flynn previously worked as a music pastor. It was during his tenure there that Flynn appeared as a contestant on season 12 of *American Idol* in 2013.

*The Dayton Daily News* reported that during an interview on the show, Flynn expressed his love for Ashley, saying, "I love my wife more than anything. She is very, very pretty. I love her."

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