An Ohio man who once appeared on American Idol is now facing murder charges in connection with the death of his wife.
Authorities say 37-year-old Ashley Flynn was found dead inside her Tipp City home after police responded to a 911 call in the early morning hours of February 16. According to the Tipp City Police Department, the call was made by her husband, 39-year-old Caleb Flynn, who reportedly told dispatchers he was reporting a burglary.
Just days later, Caleb Flynn was taken into custody. Court records show he has been charged with murder, two counts of felonious assault and two counts of tampering with evidence.
Police have declined to release further details, saying they want to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
Flynn has pleaded not guilty and is being held on a $2 million bond.
In a statement, his attorney, L. Patrick Mulligan, said his client intends to fight the charges.
“He looks forward to defending this case,” Mulligan said, adding that he is concerned about what he described as a rush to judgment. “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.”
Ashley Flynn leaves behind two daughters. She was a volleyball coach at Tippecanoe Middle School and worked as a substitute teacher at Lifewise Academy.
In a social media tribute, Tipp City Schools described her as someone known for her “beautiful smile, warmth, kindness, and the positive impact she had on so many — both in and out of the classroom and on the court.”
A GoFundMe created to support her daughters calls her a devoted mother whose laughter was contagious and who loved people deeply. An online obituary described her as “a shining light of joy” who encouraged everyone around her.
Caleb Flynn competed on Season 12 of American Idol in 2013. During his time on the show, he spoke openly about his love for his wife.
“I love my wife more than anything,” he said in a televised interview at the time. “She is very, very pretty. I love her.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
Very sad