Former ‘American Idol’ Caleb Flynn Contestant Charged With Murdering Wife, Allegedly Staged Home Invasion

A devout Christian who once appeared on American Idol has been charged with murdering his wife while their children slept nearby and then staging the scene to resemble a home invasion.

Caleb Flynn, 39, faces multiple felony charges for allegedly shooting his wife, Ashley Flynn, 37, as their two daughters slept inside their Ohio home, according to the Dayton Daily News.

Flynn called emergency services around 2:30 a.m. Monday, claiming his wife had been shot during a burglary and saying he feared the intruder might still be inside, according to court documents.

“Oh my God, somebody broke into my home, somebody broke into my home and shot my wife,” Flynn said in 911 audio obtained by Fox News Digital.

“My wife, she’s got two shots to her head, there’s blood everywhere. Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God,” he cried, the New York Post reported.

Responding officers said they found signs of a break-in, prompting a large-scale search involving drones and a K-9 unit.

Flynn has been charged with murder, two counts of felonious assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of tampering with evidence.

Caleb has been charged with murder, two counts of felonious assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of tampering with evidence. Picture: Facebook / Ashley Flynn

Investigators later said they were initially misled by what they described in a criminal complaint as the staged crime scene. Flynn appeared in court charged with murder and tampering with evidence.

Ashley Flynn, a teacher and volleyball coach, was found shot to death in her bedroom while her two middle school-aged daughters slept in nearby rooms.

“The two children in the home had not woken up and were still in their bedroom throughout this incident,” the court record states.

Flynn, a former church music pastor who spoke publicly about his love for his wife during a 2013 appearance on American Idol, was booked into the Miami County Jail.

He pleaded not guilty during a video arraignment Friday morning and asked to be released.

“I just want to take care of my daughters,” he told Judge Samuel Huffman, according to the Dayton newspaper. “I’m not a risk.”

Bond was set at $2 million. Flynn’s attorney, Patrick Mulligan, called the amount unnecessarily high and said he would seek a reduction.

“It denies him the opportunity to be at the funeral for his wife, which is an unspeakable tragedy,” Mulligan said.

During his hometown interview segment on the reality show, Flynn had spoken openly about his faith and his marriage.

“I absolutely love the Lord. I love my wife more than anything. She is very, very pretty. I love her,” he said, according to Fox News Digital.

Authorities responded to reports of a burglary at the Flynns’ Tipp City, Ohio home in the early hours of Monday, February 16.

Dispatch logs obtained by WHIO indicate officers were initially told there may have been an intruder inside the house and that the garage door was open.

“Someone broke into the reporting person’s house, unknown if they are still there. Garage door is open,” a dispatcher said.

“There was apparently a female shot in the head. Is not responding currently.”

“Squad is en route. They aren’t staged yet. Are they good to respond in?” the dispatcher asked.

“Yes, one person only,” a first responder replied, according to the outlet.

Investigators later determined that only Ashley, Caleb and their two daughters were inside the home at the time.

According to authorities, Flynn allegedly shot his wife in the head with a 9mm handgun before attempting to stage the scene as a home invasion in an effort to mislead investigators.