This is dark. A former American Idol contestant and worship pastor has been arrested in connection with his wife’s murder. On Monday, Caleb Flynn of Ohio called 911 and reported his wife had been shot by an intruder inside their home. After an investigation, authorities determined the home invasion appeared staged and arrested Flynn in connection with his wife’s murder. Here’s some photos of Flynn and his wife: Christian mom, teacher shot in Ohio home as newly released 911 log sheds light on frantic response: report https://t.co/Wp9hlFyfVO pic.twitter.com/KNsX39i02p — New York Post (@nypost) February 20, 2026 Deadline had more details to report on the horrific crime: Caleb Flynn, a former music pastor who competed in 2013 on American Idol, proclaiming then that he loved his wife Ashley “more than anything,” has been arrested in Ohio for her murder. The 39-year-old Flynn of Tipp City, Ohio, was arrested Thursday night and charged in Miami County Municipal Court with murder and two counts each of felonious assault and tampering with evidence. He pleaded not guilty Friday in a video-arraignment from Miami County Jail. “I just want to take care of my daughters,” Flynn told Judge Samuel Huffman. “I’m not a risk.” Bail was set at $2 million, and he’s next due in court for a preliminary hearing on Thursday, February 26. In a statement to press, Tipp City Police Chief Greg Adkins said: “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. Due to the ongoing nature of this case, specific investigative details will not be released at this time.” Here’s Flynn’s American Idol introduction: The 911 call has since been released. Take a listen: Caleb Flynn’s 911 call was just released. He called 911 to report that somone broke into his Tipp City, OH home and shot his wife, Ashley Flynn.Caleb Flynn is now charged with murder.Listen to the almost 8 min long call here: WARNING… some may find details disturbing. @WLWT pic.twitter.com/GqUllVa1Pz — Karin Johnson WLWT (@karinjohnson) February 20, 2026 Here’s Flynn during his arraignment: Caleb Flynn was arraigned this morning in Miami County, Ohio. He is accused of murdering his wife, Ashley Flynn while their two children slept in their bedroom.Here is the video of his arraignment. @WLWT pic.twitter.com/KLfbuqnKJM — Karin Johnson WLWT (@karinjohnson) February 20, 2026 The Dayton Daily News reported more on the heinous murder: The criminal complaint filed Friday morning indicated Ashley Flynn was shot with a 9mm handgun, and that officers were led astray “by the staging of the crime scene.” Caleb Flynn called 911 to report his wife was shot in the head and unresponsive. He also told dispatchers that he was not sure whether an intruder was still in the house, according to an affidavit. When police arrived, the side door to the garage on the north side of the house was open. Ashley Flynn was found in bed in the master bedroom with at least one gunshot wound to the head. Two gun shell casings were found on the floor near the foot of the bed, the court document read. Inside the garage, the center console to a 2024 Ford pickup truck was open. This is where Caleb Flynn told police he kept his handgun. Also, police reported that the side door to the garage had a large refrigerator in front of it “that would’ve had to be pushed to open the door,” the affidavit stated. “The two children in the home had not woke up and (were) still in their bedroom throughout this incident,” the court record said. Tipp City police contacted the BCI and representatives from the Miami County Victim Witness Program also responded to the Flynn residence. Once Ashley Flynn’s mother arrived to take the girls, Caleb Flynn agreed to speak voluntarily with detectives and was taken to the Tipp City police station around 4:30 a.m. Monday, the affidavit read. There were no further documents filed on what he told police during questioning, nor how long it lasted. The deadly shooting sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Tipp City community and spread safety concerns.