‘American Idol’ Alum Caleb Flynn’s Wife Saved Disturbing Photo Weeks Before He Killed Her

Weeks before Ashley Flynn was shot to death in her own bed, she had saved a deeply unsettling photo on her phone — one that appeared to show how she felt about her husband, former “American Idol” contestant Caleb Flynn.

The image, shown to jurors during Flynn’s murder trial, showed Ashley posing beside her smiling husband. But someone had drawn a large “X” across Caleb’s face.

According to The Sun, the photo was saved on Feb. 2, exactly two weeks before Ashley was killed.

Prosecutors said Flynn staged a fake break-in

Flynn, 40, was convicted Tuesday of killing his 37-year-old wife after prosecutors argued that he had carefully planned the murder and attempted to disguise it as a home invasion.

Ashley was shot in the back of the head while she slept in the couple’s bed at their home in Tipp City, Ohio. Their two pre-teen daughters were asleep down the hall.

Prosecutors said Flynn then staged the scene to make it appear that an intruder had broken into the house.

But the evidence ultimately pointed investigators toward Flynn rather than an unknown attacker.

“The evidence never pointed to an intruder. The evidence pointed to the defendant,” Ohio Prosecutor Paul Watkins told jurors during closing arguments.

A Miami County jury deliberated for just 2.5 hours before finding Flynn guilty on all 11 counts against him, including aggravated murder, evidence tampering and other related offenses.

He is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 5.

A secret relationship was at the center of the case

Prosecutors said Flynn’s motive was connected to a yearslong affair with Alleigha Botner, now 24.

Flynn met Botner in 2022, when she was 20 and working as an intern at the church where he served as a music pastor.

During the nine-day trial, prosecutors presented more than 100,000 text messages exchanged between Flynn and Botner.

Among them was a message in which Flynn discussed killing his wife so that he could be with Botner. Botner was required to read the message aloud in court.

Hours before Ashley was killed, Flynn sent Botner another message that read: “I choose you. I’m free. Actions will come tomorrow.”

The messages became a central part of the prosecution’s case as jurors heard evidence about the relationship and Flynn’s alleged plan.

Flynn had publicly praised his marriage

The case also drew attention to Flynn’s earlier public image.

He appeared on “American Idol” in 2013, where he spoke warmly about his wife and expressed how much he loved her. Ashley worked as a teacher and volleyball coach.

Years later, prosecutors presented evidence portraying a very different picture of the marriage and the events leading up to her death.

With Flynn now convicted on all 11 counts, the case is moving to the sentencing stage, with his Oct. 5 hearing set to determine the punishment for the killing and related offenses.