Caleb Flynn, 40, pleaded not guilty in the Feb. 16, 2026, death of his wife, Ashley Flynn, 37. Jurors were shown a police interrogation in which Flynn, tearful and red-faced, described finding his wife dead and suggested an intruder entered via a garage door — a claim investigators dispute. Prosecutors say Flynn planned the killing to pursue a relationship with Alleigha Botner, who testified about their long-running affair. The trial is ongoing as the jury weighs recorded interviews, testimony and forensic evidence.
Pastor Breaks Down as Police Interrogation Video Is Played in Wife's Murder Trial
Caleb Flynn cries in court on Sept. 25, 2026. (Court TV)
TROY, Ohio — Caleb Flynn, a 40-year-old pastor, sobbed in court Friday as jurors watched his police interrogation in the Feb. 16, 2026, death of his wife, Ashley Flynn, 37. Flynn has pleaded not guilty to charges that he killed his wife; prosecutors say the evidence shows he plotted the killing so he could be with a romantic partner.
The interrogation on video showed a red-faced, tearful Flynn explaining to Det. Sgt. Mike Morgan that he fell asleep in the living room and was awakened in the night by what he thought were his dogs. Flynn told police he checked on his two daughters, lay down on the bottom bunk with one of them, then heard a loud noise and found his wife dead in the master bedroom. He told investigators he saw the side door to the garage open and suggested an intruder had entered through it.
Investigators and testimony at trial challenged that account. Testifying officers said the damage to the garage door was only visible when the door was unlocked and open, which they argued made it unlikely an intruder caused it. Detectives also told Flynn the victim had been shot at what they described as "point-blank range."
Caleb Flynn cries while speaking with police on Feb. 16, 2026. (Court TV)
Det. Sgt. Morgan told Flynn, "In all my time of being in law enforcement, 16 years, plus my training and experience, normally when someone is murdered, there's a motive." When asked who might want to hurt Ashley, Flynn denied knowledge of any outside threats. Morgan also referenced a neighbor's statement that they had heard arguments at the home; Flynn acknowledged a recent dispute about plans for the couple's older daughter but denied any awareness of anyone overhearing them.
Prosecutors' theory and testimony is that Flynn plotted to kill his wife because he wanted to pursue a relationship with Alleigha Botner. Botner testified that she and Flynn had been involved for more than a year and that she had pressured him to leave his wife. Flynn remained tearful while the interrogation tapes were played; court observers noted he was largely dry-eyed for Botner's testimony but sobbed during much of the first two days of the trial.
Other details: Flynn called 911 the morning of Feb. 16 to report that someone had broken in and that he had found his wife dead. Before his arrest, Flynn appeared on a season of American Idol, where he once described himself as a "crybaby."
The trial is ongoing as the jury continues to hear recorded interviews, witness testimony and forensic evidence. Flynn's defense denies the prosecution's allegations; no verdict has been reached.
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