Video released of 'American Idol' contestants arraignment for wife's alleged murder
Former "American Idol" contestant Caleb Flynn, 49, was arraigned for his wife's alleged murder in Ohio County, Ohio on Friday, Feb. 20. (Dayton Daily News)
The husband of an Ohio teacher who was shot and killed inside her home has been charged with murder, according to court records.
Caleb Flynn, 39, has been charged with murder in relation to the death of Ashley Flynn, his wife. Ashley, who was a mother, teacher and volleyball coach, was shot and killed in her Tipp City, Ohio, home early on Monday morning. According to WHIO, dispatch logs indicated someone inside the house called 911 and reported that Ashley was shot in the head.
Caleb Flynn has been charged with murder, two counts of felonious assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of tampering with evidence. He was booked into the Miami County Jail at 5:07 p.m. on Thursday, according to inmate records. He was arraigned on Friday morning and pleaded not guilty. His bond was set at $2 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 26 at 1:00 p.m.
Caleb Flynn, 49, was arraigned in court on Friday, Feb. 20. (Dayton Daily News)
Officials alleged in court documents filed early Friday morning that "Caleb Flynn murdered his wife [redacted] in the morning hours of February 16, 2026." Caleb Flynn allegedly shot his wife with a 9mm handgun and staged the crime scene, causing officers to be "lead estray," the documents state.
Caleb Flynn told a 911 dispatcher that someone broke into his house and killed his wife, according to audio obtained by Fox News Digital.
"Oh my god, somebody broke into my home, somebody broke into my home and shot my wife," Caleb Flynn said. "My wife, she's got two shots to her head, there's blood everywhere. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my God."
When asked if Ashley Flynn was breathing, Caleb responded, "No, I don't think so."
"Ashley, Ashley, baby, baby please, oh my god, there's no - she's not!" Caleb said.
Caleb Flynn claimed that the door "leading to the garage door" was "wide open" at the time.
Tipp City mother of two found dead after reported home invasion; police use drones and K-9 units in search for suspect as community mourns tragic loss. (Ashley Flynn/Facebook)
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Caleb Flynn's attorney, L. Patrick Mulligan, said prosecutors rushed to accuse his client of murder.
"Caleb Flynn entered a plea of Not Guilty this morning and looks forward to defending this case. We are both disappointed and concerned about the short timeline and seeming rush to judgment in this case," Mulligan said. "When the government runs out of leads or can't develop leads and looks at a surviving spouse in cases such as these, the chance of a wrongful conviction increases."
The individual who called 911 told dispatchers that the kids were asleep in their rooms at the home, according to News Center 7.
READ THE COURT DOCUMENTS:
LISTEN – 911 CALL:
"Someone broke into the RP [reporting person’s] house, unknown if they are still there. Garage door is open," the dispatcher said. "There was apparently a female shot in the head. Is not responding currently."
"Squad is en route; they aren’t staged yet. Are they good to respond in?" the dispatcher asked.
Ashley Flynn, a Tipp City Schools substitute teacher and volleyball coach, was found dead in her Ohio home during reported burglary. Police launch homicide investigation into her death. (Tipp City Schools)
"Yes, one person only," a first responder replied.
According to the outlet, only Ashley and Caleb Flynn as well as their two children were inside the home during the incident.
"RP and juvenile daughter are locked in a bedroom," the dispatcher told police, according to the outlet. "Just a correction — the juveniles are going to be in their own rooms asleep currently."
In an earlier statement to Fox News Digital, Tipp City Chief Greg Adkins said he believes the incident is isolated.
"We believe that this was an isolated incident targeting this specific residence," Adkins told Fox News Digital Wednesday. "No information at this time to believe the public is in any danger. The investigation will continue until we can provide all the answers to the family and community."
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Ashley and Caleb Flynn in an undated photo with their two children. (GoFundMe)
Caleb Flynn was a contestant on "American Idol" and talked about his love for his wife during an interview to be on the show in 2013 during a Hometown Interview segment.
"I absolutely love the Lord. I love my wife more than anything. She is very, very pretty. ... I love her," Caleb Flynn said. "But, you know, I'm just a normal person who absolutely loves to sing more than anything in the world."
Fox News Digital's Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.
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