American Idol Contestant’s Wife ‘Nudged’ Him to Audition—13 Years Before He Was Arrested for Her Murder

An interview clip from American Idol contestant Caleb Flynn’s appearance on the show in 2013 is chilling to watch after he was arrested for the murder of his wife Ashley Flynn at their Tipp City, Ohio home on February 19.

The 39-year-old former church music pastor, who has been charged with murder, assault and tampering with evidence, auditioned for the show during season 12. In a 13-year-old YouTube video posted to the official American Idol account, he said it was Ashley who encouraged him.

“I love to sing, so that’s why I auditioned. Maybe my wife kind of nudged me a little bit, too,” he said.

Caleb allegedly shot Ashley in the head in their home, then called 911 sobbing and claimed, “Somebody broke in my home and shot my wife.” According to a police affidavit obtained by the Dayton Daily News, the couple’s two children were home and asleep in bed during the entire ordeal.

In the now haunting video from the singing competition, Caleb went on to praise Ashley while also talking about his faith.

“I absolutely love the lord. I love my wife more than anything. She is very, very pretty. I love her,” he said, before comparing Ashley to American Idol season four winner Carrie Underwood. “[Underwood] is just absolutely incredible. Love her attitude and just her passion for what she does. And I promise you, if my wife died her hair blonde, she would look just like her.”