Police body-camera footage has been released showing the moments after a former “American Idol” contestant and worship pastor allegedly killed his wife in the early morning hours of February 16 in Tipp City, Ohio, just north of Dayton.
Caleb Flynn is in jail on a $2 million bond after being charged with the murder of his wife, Ashley. The newly released video shows the Tipp City Police responding to what they believed was a burglary call that ended with Ashley being shot. Now, officials say Caleb shot his wife and staged the burglary scene.
“Is she gone?” Caleb, who once raved on “American Idol” about how much he loved his wife, asked investigators as they canvassed the crime scene.
Caleb seemed in pure shock that his wife was dead. Investigators asked Caleb if he had any weapons. He said he had guns in the house and referenced one specifically in his truck’s glove compartment.
Hours of body-cam footage were released this week as the investigation into Caleb continues. In one of the videos, Caleb is confiding in another woman, believed to be Ashley’s mother, in the yard as officers work to secure the scene.
“She told me to sleep on the couch … I shouldn’t have listened,” Caleb said.
The father of two was wailing and even throwing up at one point during the police’s initial search of the home. Caleb and Ashley’s daughters were inside during the alleged shooting.
Caleb Flynn, a former American Idol contestant, is accused of staging a burglary and killing his wife. Newly released body cam footage shows him sobbing at the scene.#CalebFlynn #AmericanIdol #CrimeNews #BodyCamFootage #CourtCase #fyp #explorepage pic.twitter.com/eNa47faFGm
— MEAWW (@meawwofficial) March 3, 2026
Later that morning, the footage shows Caleb agreeing to go to the police station for questioning. While sitting at the station, he asked about getting his phone back as well as where Ashley was.
“Where did you take her?” Caleb asked the detective. The detective responded by saying Ashley’s body was still at the house as investigators were “scouring” everything.
Three days after Caleb voluntarily went in for questioning, he was arrested and transported to the Miami County jail, where he remains on charges of homicide, two counts of felonious assault, and two counts of tampering with evidence.
After Caleb’s arrest, Ashley’s family released this statement: “Our hearts are shattered. 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. After speaking with both local police and federal authorities, we trust the proper steps were taken and the process is being handled appropriately. We kindly ask for privacy as we work through this complex situation. We are clinging to our faith – just as Ashley did each and every day.”
Prior to Caleb’s arrest, Ashley was set to have a public celebration of life, but because of the tragic circumstances, she was laid to rest privately.
Caleb is being represented by Patrick Mulligan, who spoke out about his client’s $2 million bond.
Per the Dayton Daily News, Mulligan said the bond was unnecessary. “It denies him the opportunity to be at the funeral for his wife, which is an unspeakable tragedy,” Mulligan said at the time.
Caleb made his first court appearance on February 20, where he told the judge, “I just want to take care of my daughters, I’m not a risk.”
Caleb’s preliminary hearing is currently scheduled for March 26.
The 39-year-old competed on Season 12 of “American Idol.” He described himself as a devoted husband, worship pastor, and Christian.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
