'Idol' alum Caleb Flynn, accused of murder, cries in bodycam video

Edward Segarra, USA TODAY Wed, March 4, 2026 at 6:53 PM UTC

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'Idol' alum Caleb Flynn, accused of murder, cries in bodycam video

Following the arrest of former "American Idol" contestant Caleb Flynn on murder charges, new video from police shows the aftermath of Flynn's wife's death.

Flynn's spouse, Ashley Flynn, was found dead on Feb. 16 in their home in Tipp City, Ohio. Although Flynn, who reported the death to police, said someone broke into their house and shot Ashley, the singer has been charged with one count of murder and two counts each of felonious assault and tampering with evidence, according to court records.

In bodycam footage obtained by USA TODAY Wednesday, March 4, an emotional Flynn can be seen reeling from the death of Ashley Flynn. "Oh my God. Is she gone? What do I do with my daughters?" a crying Flynn says as police arrive at his home.

Although much of the footage is blurred, Flynn is later identified when police ask for his name.

Caleb Flynn case: 'American Idol' alum arrested and charged in wife's murder

Later in the video, a police officer asks Flynn if there are any firearms in the household, and the "Idol" alum says he has several, including a shotgun and a handgun stored in his truck.

Flynn has pleaded not guilty to the charges, his attorney, L. Patrick Mulligan, previously confirmed. Following his arrest, Flynn was booked into Ohio's Miami County Jail on Feb. 19. Court records show his bond was set at $2 million.

Per police bodycam footage, after Ashley Flynn's death was confirmed on scene, authorities escorted Flynn outside the house, where he was reunited with his children's grandmother.

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"The girls don't know," a tearful Flynn says as he hugs the woman. "I don't know what to do."

What happened to Caleb Flynn, late wife?

According to Miami County court records, Flynn is suspected of using a handgun and staging the scene to appear like a burglary. There were signs of what appeared to be forced entry at the house, Dayton, Ohio-area TV station WHIO previously reported.

Additionally, Flynn told 911 dispatchers he didn't see anyone in the house, but the garage door was open, per the Dayton Daily News. The newspaper reported that an officer who went to the house found a side door to the garage open. The door had a large fridge in front of it that would have needed to be pushed aside to open.

The Dayton Daily News said a report from Tipp City police also showed the center console of a truck in the home's garage was open, and Flynn said that's where his handgun had been located.

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Since Kelly Clarkson was named the first-ever "American Idol" winner on Sept. 4, 2002, the singing competition show has helped launch the careers of Billboard-charting artists, singers who have helped define their genre, daytime TV personalities and precisely one EGOT winner (we're looking at you, J Hud).Though the “Idol” hitmaking machine now creaks rather than churns out superstars, the platform is still unparalleled when compared to its singing competition peers.

We’ve ranked the 23 “American Idol” winners based primarily on sheer talent, but with an obvious nod toward their success after the show.

Ashley Flynn was a teacher at LifeWise Academy in Tipp City, according to Dayton Daily News. She also coached seventh-grade girls' volleyball at Tippecanoe Middle School and worked as a substitute teacher for Tipp City Schools, where she formerly worked as a full-time teacher, the newspaper reported.

Flynn, who appeared as a contestant on the 12th season of "American Idol" in 2013, opened up about his wife during an interview for the show.

"I love my wife more than anything," Flynn said at the time, per Dayton Daily News. "She is very, very pretty. I love her."

Contributing: Bailey Gallion and Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY Network

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Caleb Flynn footage shows 'American Idol' alum crying after wife death

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