The husband of an Ohio woman who was found shot dead inside her home following a reported burglary has been charged with murder in her death, authorities said.
Caleb C. Flynn, 39, was arrested the evening of Thursday, February 19, in connection with the killing of Ashley Flynn, 37, which occurred the morning of Monday, February 16, at their Tipp City home, according to a news release shared by the Tipp City Police Department.
Caleb appeared on the reality show American Idol in 2013.
Caleb is charged with one count of murder, two counts of felonious assault with a deadly weapon, and two counts of tampering with evidence, court records viewed by Us Weekly show.
Caleb pleaded not guilty to the charges at an arraignment the morning of Friday, February 20, court records show.
His defense attorney, Patrick L. Mulligan, said in an emailed statement to Us on February 20 that Caleb “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.”
Caleb and Ashley, who was substitute teacher and school volleyball coach, were church members of the Christian Life Center in Butler Township, where Caleb previously worked as a music pastor, the Dayton Daily News reported.
While working for his church’s music ministry, Caleb appeared on American Idol during the show’s 12th season, according to the newspaper.
In an interview on the show, the newspaper reported that he expressed his love for Ashley, saying: “I love my wife more than anything. She is very, very pretty. I love her.”
On February 16, Tipp City police said in an initial news release that offices arrived at the Flynns’ home around 2:31 a.m. that morning after “a reported burglary with a resident inside the home who had been shot.”
They found Caleb, Caleb and Ashley’s two children, and Ashley, who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police, Us previously reported.
Tipp City police noted that officers did not locate any potential suspects after securing the crime scene.
In an update issued later that day, the police department said the circumstances surrounding the investigation were a “complex situation.”
According to Caleb’s criminal complaint, he is accused of staging the crime scene on February 16.
The complaint states that he “murdered his wife” that morning and “officers were [led] astray by the staging of the crime scene.”
In a statement shared by Tipp City Schools on February 16, Ashley was remembered for “her beautiful smile, warmth, kindness, and the positive impact she had on so many.”
She previously taught for the school district before starting work as a substitute teacher, according to the district. She also coached Tippecanoe Middle School volleyball.
On February 19, the police department said, “As previously stated, the family and community deserve a thorough, professional, and compassionate investigation into this very sensitive matter.”
“As a result of the investigation, probable cause existed to charge Caleb Flynn with the murder of his wife,” the department added. “Due to the ongoing nature of this case, specific investigative details will not be released at this time.”
Caleb’s bond has been set at $2 million, court records show.
If he posts bond, he will be put on house arrest and electronic monitoring, and will not be allowed to see his children, according to court records.
