'American Idol' pastor Caleb Flynn's wife saved photo with his face scratched out weeks before she was shot dead
From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026.
Ashley Flynn, 37, had saved a chilling photo on her phone showing her husband Caleb with his face scratched out just two weeks before she was found shot twice in the back of the head while she slept in their Tipp City, Ohio home. Flynn, 40, who appeared on 'American Idol' in 2013 and worked as a church music pastor, is charged with murder, assault and tampering with evidence, and faces life in prison without parole. Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday after both sides rested their cases on Monday.
Mistress Alleigha Botner, 24, testified Flynn told her 'he hates her' and that when she texted 'I want to kill her', Flynn replied: 'That makes two of us.'
Flynn told police 'I didn't touch my wife' in a recorded interview played to jurors, insisting an intruder killed Ashley while he slept in their daughters' room.
Police found no evidence of any intruder — a dog failed to pick up a scent and neighbourhood canvassing drew a blank.