Alleigha Botner, the former mistress of Caleb Flynn, testified that she believes Flynn killed his wife and staged the scene to look like a burglary. Prosecutors say Flynn shot Ashley Flynn twice in the back of the head while the couple's daughters slept; Flynn has pleaded not guilty. Botner described a yearlong affair, abusive messages, and texts and audio the prosecution says show motive; the defense argues there is no direct physical evidence tying Flynn to the shooting. The trial is ongoing and Botner will resume testimony Thursday.
Ex-Mistress Testifies Former 'American Idol' Contestant Killed Wife and Staged Crime Scene
Pool via ABC News - PHOTO: Caleb Flynn is seen during his murder trial in Miami County, Ohio, on Sept. 23, 2026.
Alleigha Botner, the 24-year-old woman who says she was the mistress of former pastor and one-time American Idol contestant Caleb Flynn, testified Wednesday that she believes Flynn fatally shot his wife, then manipulated the scene to look like a burglary.
Trial Overview
Forty-year-old Caleb Flynn is on trial in Miami County, Ohio, on charges including aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence in the death of his 37-year-old wife, Ashley Flynn. Prosecutors say Ashley was shot twice in the back of the head in the couple's Tipp City home on Feb. 16 while their two daughters were asleep; Flynn was arrested days after he called 911 to report a shooting and an intruder. He has pleaded not guilty.
Key Testimony From the Former Mistress
Botner told jurors she first met Flynn in 2022 while interning at the couple's church and that their sexual relationship began in May 2024 and lasted about a year. She said the pair exchanged more than 100,000 text messages and that Flynn frequently used demeaning language about his wife and at times said he wished Ashley would "be gone" or "dead."
Pool via ABC News - PHOTO: Alleigha Botner testifies during the murder trial of Caleb Flynn in Miami County, Ohio, on Sept. 23, 2026.
"In my mind, it seemed like too much of a coincidence that the day he's divorcing her, she's just dead all of a sudden," Botner testified.
Prosecutors played a text message Botner says Flynn sent hours before the 911 call: "I choose you. I'm free. Actions will come tomorrow," which prosecutors say supports their theory that Flynn planned to separate from his wife. Botner also testified about an audio apology Flynn left her after a cruise during which Ashley discovered messages between them.
Additional Details Presented
Botner told the court she and Flynn discussed marriage, got matching lightning-bolt tattoos, and that she sent Flynn screenshots from ChatGPT detailing divorce procedures and instructions for deleting messages because she feared exposure would cost her her job and reputation. She also read portions of the messages the pair exchanged and said she now hates Flynn because she believes he murdered Ashley.
Defense Position
Flynn's defense attorneys concede he sent "ugly, hurtful" messages but argue those statements were lies meant to placate Botner and do not prove he committed murder. The defense emphasizes the absence of direct physical evidence publicly tying Flynn to the killing—such as the firearm used—and says the prosecution's case rests largely on motive and the affair.
The trial is ongoing. Botner's testimony was paused and is scheduled to resume Thursday.
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