An Ohio man has been charged with murdering his wife, a school teacher and volleyball coach, after allegedly shooting her inside their home and attempting to stage the scene to resemble a break-in, according to court documents and police records.Caleb Flynn, 39, has been charged with murder, two counts of felonious assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of tampering with evidence in connection with the death of his wife, Ashley Flynn. The incident took place early Monday morning at their residence in Tipp City, Ohio.Dispatch records show that a 911 call was made from inside the house reporting that Ashley Flynn had been shot in the head. The caller also claimed that someone had broken into the home and that the garage door was open. Responders were informed that the couple’s two children were inside the residence at the time and were asleep in their rooms.Authorities, however, alleged in court filings that Caleb Flynn shot his wife using a 9mm handgun during the early morning hours of February 16, 2026. Investigators further claimed that he tampered with the crime scene in an attempt to mislead officers and divert suspicion.Flynn was taken into custody on Thursday evening and booked into the Miami County Jail. He appeared in court on Friday, where he pleaded not guilty. His bond has been set at USD 2 million. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for February 26.Police said the investigation involved multiple agencies and described the case as complex. In a statement, the Tipp City Police Department expressed appreciation for the community’s patience and support while investigators worked to uncover the circumstances surrounding the killing.Earlier, police had indicated that the incident appeared to be isolated and that there was no immediate threat to the public.Ashley Flynn was described as a devoted mother, educator and coach. Caleb Flynn had previously appeared as a contestant during auditions for American Idol in 2013, where he spoke publicly about his love for his wife during a hometown interview segment.The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to examine evidence and prepare for upcoming court proceedings.
