COLUMBUS, Ohio (TCN) — A 40-year-old former “American Idol” contestant has been sentenced to life in prison for murder after fatally shooting his wife in her sleep in February.
Police responded to a home on Feb. 16 at about 2:30 a.m. after receiving a report of a burglary and shooting. Caleb Flynn, who had made the call, met police at the door along with his two children, who were not harmed. Flynn’s wife, Ashley Flynn, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to WLWT.
Following an investigation, police found probable cause to arrest Caleb Flynn on suspicion of murder, WKRC reported.
According to the Dayton Daily News, police said they were “led astray” at the crime scene, which had been staged. The center console of Caleb Flynn’s truck, where he kept his gun, was open. The garage door was also open, and the door leading into the house was blocked by a refrigerator that would have needed to be moved to gain access to the home.
Flynn was charged in connection with his wife’s death on Feb. 19 and he pleaded not guilty to all charges against him the following day, per WLWT.
According to The Associated Press, Flynn was a church worship leader who had appeared as a contestant on “American Idol” in 2013. On the show, he said his wife had encouraged him to pursue his dream of being a singer.
During Flynn’s trial, prosecutors said his motive was to get out of his marriage. His former mistress, 24-year-old Alleigha Botner, testified she had met Caleb Flynn when she was an intern at the church where they both worked. She stated they had had an affair for more than a year. During their relationship, she testified he said he hated his wife and wanted to kill her. According to the AP, Caleb Flynn sent Botner a text the night before Ashley Flynn was killed that said, “I choose you. I’m free. Actions will come tomorrow.”
At trial, jurors were shown some of the 100,000 text messages exchanged between Caleb Flynn and Botner during their relationship, as well as AI-generated love songs Flynn created for her, The Associated Press reports.
Though the gun used to kill Ashley Flynn was never found, prosecutors said her husband’s DNA was at the scene and data from his electronic devices showed him moving throughout the house, contradicting his claim to police that he was asleep when his wife was fatally shot, according to the AP.
On Sept. 29, Caleb Flynn was convicted of murder for killing his wife, and he was sentenced to life in prison Oct. 5, per the AP. At his sentencing, a family member read a victim impact statement by his daughter, which said, “Mommy was the perfect person. … The absolute perfect person. What did she ever do to you to make you hate her so much?”
According to her online obituary, Ashley Flynn was a volleyball coach and substitute teacher. “Ashley was known as a shining light of joy to all who crossed her path, effortlessly encouraging others along the way. Her genuine care for people reflected the selfless love we all strive to share. Her kindness and spirit touched countless lives, often in ways she never even realized. Most importantly, she boldly lived out her faith with courage and conviction.”
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