A former “American Idol” contestant is in custody in Ohio, accused of murdering his wife and attempting to disguise the crime as a home invasion. Caleb Flynn, 39, was arrested Thursday and charged with murder, assault, and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of Ashley Flynn, 37, according to Tipp City Police.
Ashley Flynn was found dead Monday at the couple’s home in Tipp City, after authorities responded to a 911 call reporting a burglary and shooting. Caleb Flynn told a 911 dispatcher that an intruder had shot his wife, claiming she sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the head. “There’s blood everywhere, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god,” he said in the call, according to authorities.
During his arraignment Friday, Flynn pleaded not guilty to the charges. “I just want to take care of my daughters. I’m not a risk,” he told Judge Samuel Huffman, according to reports. Judge Huffman set Flynn’s bond at $2 million.
Police investigators, however, allege that the scene was staged to appear as a burglary. Court records indicate that authorities suspect Flynn used a handgun and attempted to mislead investigators.
Patrick Mulligan, Flynn’s attorney, expressed concern over the speed of the investigation. “We are disappointed and concerned about the short timeline and seeming rush to judgment in this case,” Mulligan said in a statement Saturday. “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.”
Tipp City Police Chief Greg Adkins defended the investigative process, stating in an email Saturday that it had “not moved fast,” but rather “progressed at a pace dictated by a thorough and deliberate investigative process.”
Ashley Flynn was a middle school volleyball coach and substitute teacher at Tipp City Schools. The school district described her as someone “known for her gorgeous smile, warmth, kindness, and the positive impact she had on so many—both in and out of the classroom and on the court,” in a Facebook post.
Caleb Flynn appeared on season 12 of “American Idol” in 2013, describing himself as a music pastor and expressing his love for his wife in a video posted by the display. “I love my wife more than anything,” he said in the audition clip. “She’s very, very pretty.” He had been encouraged by his wife to audition for the show for a third time, according to the video.
The couple had two daughters, who were reportedly home at the time of the shooting. According to court records, the children were asleep in their bedrooms during the incident.
