An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Caleb Flynn in an orange jumpsuit during his arraignment, with a small video window showing a judge, Image 2 shows Mugshot of Caleb Flynn, Image 3 shows Caleb Flynn and Ashley Flynn posing together, with Caleb smiling and Ashley kissing his cheek

 

FORMER American Idol contestant Caleb Flynn was seen holding back tears in court as he stands accused of murdering his wife and staging the scene to look like a burglary gone wrong.

Ashley Flynn, a mother of two who taught and coached volleyball, was shot and killed early Monday inside her home in Tipp City, Ohio.

Caleb Flynn in an orange jumpsuit during his arraignment, with a small video window showing a judge.
Former American Idol contestant Caleb Flynn, 39, has now been charged with his wife’s murderCredit: Dayton Daily News
 

Photo of Ashley Flynn and Caleb Flynn.
Ashley Flynn, a mother of two who taught and coached volleyball, was shot and killed early Monday morning inside her home in OhioCredit: Facebook / Ashley Flynn
 

Mugshot of Caleb Flynn.
Flynn’s mugshot after allegedly killing his wife and staging a fake burglaryCredit: Miami County Jail
Her husband, 39, has since been charged with her murder as prosecutors claim he shot Ashley in the head with a 9mm handgun.

They allege he then tried to make the scene look like a home invasion to mislead investigators.

Ashley was found with at least one gunshot wound to the head, with two spent shells on the floor, reports said.

Court documents cited in reports say Flynn called 911 around 2:30 am Monday, claiming his wife had been shot during a burglary.

Audio described him saying: “Oh my god, somebody broke into my home.”

Fox News reported he also told the dispatcher his wife had been shot twice in the head.

Flynn was arrested on February 19 and faces one count of murder, two counts of felonious assault with a deadly weapon, and two counts of tampering with evidence.

In his first court appearance Friday in Miami County Municipal Court, Flynn appeared remotely and pleaded not guilty.

He held back tears as he spoke, TMZ reported, as he told a judge he just wants to be with his kids, and is “not a risk.”

He told the judge he just wanted to “take care of his daughters,” according to TMZ.

Caleb Flynn, a young man with short blonde hair and black glasses, wears a black leather jacket over a plaid shirt and is speaking.
Caleb Flynn during a “Road to Hollywood” post-audition interview during “American Idol” Season 12Credit: ABC
The judge set his bond at $2 million which his attorney Patrick Mulligan said was “unnecessarily high.”

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

At Friday’s hearing, the defense asked for a preliminary hearing later this month.

Meanwhile, Ashley’s heartbroken family have broken their silence in a statement obtained by Fox News.

“Our hearts are shattered,” they said.

“Ashley brought endless light to our world, and we are trying to navigate this immense loss.

“Our family believes this arrest was made carefully and not without serious consideration.

“We are clinging to our faith, just as Ashley did each and every day,” they added.

The family also asked for privacy as they work through what they called “this complex situation,” and urged anyone with information to contact police.

Flynn is a former American Idol contestant who spoke about his wife during a 2013 hometown interview segment.

“I absolutely love the Lord. I love my wife more than anything. She is very, very pretty…I love her,” he said at the time.

Caleb Flynn and Ashley Flynn posing together, with Caleb smiling and Ashley kissing his cheek.
Flynn is a former “American Idol” contestant who spoke about his wife during a 2013 hometown interview segmentCredit: Facebook / Ashley Flynn