A former contestant on American Idol has been charged with murder after authorities say he killed his wife inside their Ohio home while their children were present.
Police in Tipp City, located north of Dayton, responded around 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 16 to a report of a burglary and shooting at the residence of 39-year-old Caleb Flynn.
According to investigators, Flynn told a 911 dispatcher that an intruder had broken into the home and shot his wife, Ashley, multiple times in the head. He also claimed he did not know whether the suspect remained inside.
Officers arriving at the scene found Flynn and the couple’s two children in the house. Ashley Flynn, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene. She worked locally as a volleyball coach and substitute teacher.
Flynn was taken into custody on Feb. 19 and has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge filed by the Miami County District Attorney’s Office. His bond was set at $2 million.
His attorney, Patrick Mulligan, said in a statement that the arrest appeared premature and suggested investigators focused too quickly on the surviving spouse. Tipp City Police Chief Greg Adkins said the arrest followed a thorough investigation.
Flynn previously appeared on Season 12 of “American Idol,” which aired in 2013, though he did not advance to the final 20 male contestants. Promotional clips of his audition remain available online.
He is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 26.