American Idol alum Caleb Flynn’s murder trial gave jurors and the public a closer look at his life with his wife, Ashley Flynn, and their two daughters.
Caleb was convicted of killing Ashley, a 37-year-old teacher and volleyball coach, by shooting her inside their Tipp City, Ohio, home on Feb. 16. Their daughters, who were 10 and 12 at the time, were asleep nearby.
The former music pastor told investigators that an intruder had shot Ashley. Prosecutors, however, argued that Caleb murdered his wife so he could pursue a life with his mistress. He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 5 and could receive life in prison.
As the trial unfolded, family members and friends described Ashley’s character and shared memories of the wife, mother, teacher and coach they knew.
“We were best friends,” Ashley’s mother, Jill Smith, testified. “We just had a wonderful relationship. She was an excellent daughter.”
Here is what to know about Ashley Flynn and her life.
Ashley Flynn Was a ”Dedicated” Teacher
Education was central to Ashley’s life. She graduated from Tippecanoe High School in 2006 and Lee University in 2010 before beginning her career with Tipp City Schools. Over the years, she worked as a classroom teacher, coached middle school volleyball and later served as a “dedicated” substitute teacher.
“She was known for her beautiful smile, warmth, kindness, and the positive impact she had on so many—both in and out of the classroom and on the court,” the district said after her death. “Our thoughts are with all who are grieving during this difficult time.”
Ashley also taught for LifeWise Academy, a Christian nonprofit that provides Bible instruction to public school students.
Ashley Flynn Encouraged Caleb Flynn to Audition for American Idol
According to Caleb, Ashley encouraged him to pursue music. He discussed her support in a “Road to Hollywood” video for Season 12 of American Idol.
“I love to sing, that’s why I auditioned,” Caleb said in the 2013 footage. “Maybe my wife nudged me a little bit, too…I love my wife more than anything. She is very, very pretty, I love her.”
Caleb identified Carrie Underwood as his favorite Idol contestant. He added, “I promise you, if my wife dyed her hair blonde, she would look just like her.”
Ashley Flynn Wanted to Protect Caleb Flynn, Even as Their Marriage Crumbled
In the months leading up to Ashley’s death, her family noticed signs that the marriage was under strain. Even so, Ashley never spoke harshly about her husband.
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“She always wanted us to think the best of Caleb,” Jill Smith told the court. “It was somewhat strained, the last six months that I could tell, but other than that, it was good.”
“You could tell there’s not a lot of peace in that home and I couldn’t pinpoint why,” Jill said. “And I don’t think she could pinpoint why.”
Ashley was similarly reserved when discussing Caleb with her father, Todd Smith.
“The last thing she ever did,” he testified, “was talk bad about anybody.”
Ashley Flynn Doted on Her Daughters
Just days before her death, Ashley was “super excited” to host a “Galentines Day” celebration at home for her daughters, Jill told jurors.
“She wanted to just have a special evening with the girls,” Jill said. “She did facials, washed their hair, did their nails and had special food for them. They had a special night just for the three of them.”
Eight days after Ashley was killed, her family gathered to mark what would have been her 38th birthday.
“Her girls blew out candles on chocolate cupcakes, their mom’s favorite, as neighborhood friends gathered to sing Happy Birthday,” Ashley’s family told WHIO, “and sent balloons with messages from all of us drifting gently toward heaven.”
Ashley Flynn’s Daughters Leaned on Family After Her Murder
The family embraced Ashley’s daughters in the wake of their mother’s death—and learned about their father’s secret life with his mistress, Alleigha Botner.
The girls were “not surprised” to learn Botner’s identity, according to Kayla.
“They were mostly brokenhearted for Mommy,” Kayla testified. “They were shocked, they were upset for their mommy, because they said she loved Daddy more than anyone else in life, so why did Daddy not love her as much?”
Ashley’s sister, Kayla Keyt, who now has custody of her nieces, distracted them with a movie at home after their mom’s death.
“I wanted those precious girls by my side,” she testified. “They had just lost their mom and they were so devastated.”