Former 'American Idol' Singer Caleb Flynn Convicted in Wife's Murder

A jury took just over two hours to convict the former 'American Idol' contestant, who prosecutors say tried to stage the scene to look like a break-in.

A verdict has been made on the case of Caleb Flynn, a former “American Idol” contestant accused of murdering his wife. On Tuesday, September 30, the former music pastor was found guilty of killing his wife, Ashley Flynn, inside their Ohio home in February.

The jury deliberated for a little over two hours, ultimately convicting Flynn on all nine counts, including aggravated murder, murder with a firearm specification, felonious assault, and tampering with evidence.

Caleb Flynn during his conviction for nine counts of murder on September 29, 2026 | Source: insstagram/nbcnightlynews

Following an eight-day trial, the verdict was read in Miami County Court of Common Pleas in Troy, Ohio, after which Flynn broke down crying as he was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs.

The 40-year-old church worship leader was accused of shooting his wife, a school teacher and mother of two, who was discovered in bed with two gunshot wounds to the back of her head.

In Flynn’s version of events, as he told a 911 dispatcher and police, he had been sleeping on the couch when he heard gunshots, suspecting an intruder had possibly broken into their home. Officers who inspected the scene upon arrival found the garage door, a side door, and the center console of Flynn’s truck all open. Flynn claimed he kept a gun in the console, but no weapon was found inside.

Caleb Flynn during the day he was convicted of murdering his wife on September 29, 2026 at Miami County Court of Common Pleas in Troy, Ohio | Source: instagram/nbcnightlynews

Prosecutors argued that Flynn staged the scene to look like a burglary. Digital forensics examiner Joseph Wilhelm also testified that Flynn's electronic devices recorded hundreds of steps in the hours before and around the time he called 911, which contradicted his claim that he was asleep.

At the time of the murder, Flynn had been having an affair with Alleigha Botner, a former intern at his church. The 24-year-old, who met Flynn when she was 20 in 2022 and began an affair with him in March 2024, testified that months before the crime, Flynn told her he wanted to kill his wife.

Caleb Flynn's mistress, Alleigha Botner, testifuing for the prosecution | Source: instagram/nbcnightlynews

In one text message to Botner, revealed in court, Flynn wrote that he had stayed up until 4 a.m. thinking of ways to commit the crime wihtout going to jail. And just the day before the murder, prosecutors said, he texted Botner, "I choose you," followed by, "actions will come tomorrow."

Botner, who didn’t think Flynn would actually murder his wife, tearfully expressed regret over once texting him about wanting to be rid of her, to which Flynn had replied, “That makes two of us.”

The defense rested without caling any witnesses.

Meanwhile, Flynn's attorney, Patrick Mulligan, argued the case lacked “concrete evidence,” and that being a cheater did not equate to guilt. "Connecting a couple of meaningless dots doesn't solve the case," he said.

In a "Road to Hollywood" interview posted by the show at the time, Flynn said his wife had encouraged him to audition, adding that he loved her "more than anything."

Flynn is scheduled to be sentenced on October 5, facing up to life in prison without parole.