Former American Idol star sobs as he addresses daughters before being handed sentence for wife’s murder

The former American Idol star who was found guilty of murdering his wife broke down in court as he addressed his two young daughters before learning his fate.

A jury took just two hours to find Caleb Flynn, 40, guilty of the murder of his 37-year-old wife Ashley at their Ohio home in February this year, while their two young daughters slept.

During the initial investigation, Flynn - who was also a music pastor at his local church - told cops that an intruder had broken into their home and fatally shot his wife.

In a 911 call played at his trial, Flynn could be heard telling the call-handler: “Somebody broke into my home – somebody broke into my home and shot my wife.

“My wife, she’s got two shots to her head. There’s blood everywhere. Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.”

Caleb Flynn continued to protest his innocence at his sentencing (CourtTV)

However, during his eight-day trial last month, the court heard damning messages sent between Flynn and his mistress Alleigha Botner, 24, in which the pair spoke about wanting to kill Ashley.

In one grim message in May last year, Flynn said: “If I could literally kill her and not go to hell I would do it in a heartbeat. That is how dark and hateful I feel.”

Weeks later on 10 July 2025, Botner sent a message to Flynn that read: “I want to kill her, Caleb.”

To which Flynn replied: “That makes two of us.”

Botner has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

On Monday (5 October), Flynn returned to the Miami County Court of Common Pleas to be sentenced.

In a statement to the court ahead of his sentencing, Flynn could be seen shaking and crying as he continued to protest his innocence.

Flynn, who was wearing an orange jumpsuit, said: “I made vows to Ashley on our wedding day.

“I failed those vows and through my decisions I have caused you guys an incredible amount of pain. Through those decisions I’m sure you have felt betrayal, confusion, anger and so much more.

“What I am most ashamed of and regret most of all are the awful things I said about Ashley.

“I loved her and love her. She was my wife. She was beautiful and amazing in countless ways.

“I did not kill my wife. I will continue to fight for my innocence as long as the Lord allows me to, as I did not kill my wife.”

He also directly addressed his two young daughters, who were 9 and 11 when Ashley was killed.

“You both are my greatest joy in this life,” Flynn said.

Caleb Flynn was found guilty of murdering his wife Ashley (Facebook)

“Please know your daddy is so proud of you and loves you beyond what words can describe … I have so many thoughts and dreams of raising you to grow up to be mighty women of God but unfortunately I can’t.”

However, in their own statements, the two girls, who are now 10 and 12, hit out at their father, with the youngest saying her mother was the ‘perfect person and that Flynn had ‘chosen to kill the only mother [she] ever had’.

The eldest sister, said: “You have already caused so much pain to your family and the world. The least you could do is tell everyone that you did it.”

She went on to tell Flynn that she does not ‘plan on’ visiting him in jail.

The two girls are now in the care of Ashley’s sister and brother-in-law, Kayla and Matthew Keyt.

Following the statements, Judge Jeannine Pratt sentenced Flynn to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

He was also handed a further three years for each of two firearm charges, and 36 months for each of three evidence-tampering convictions, all to be served consecutively before his life sentence.

Flynn's lawyers have previously said he appeal the conviction.