A woman who says she was romantically involved with Caleb Flynn, the former “American Idol” contestant and pastor accused of murdering his wife, Ashley Flynn, is sharing surprising new details about their alleged relationship.
Alleigha Botner took the stand in Miami County, Ohio, on Wednesday and Thursday to testify at Flynn’s trial. During her testimony Thursday, the 24-year-old read aloud text messages allegedly sent to her by 40-year-old Caleb Flynn. In some, Caleb Flynn stated that he wanted his wife “to leave” even if it meant “ruining my daughters’ lives.”
“You know I hate her,” Caleb Flynn said of Ashley Flynn in one of the messages, as seen in footage obtained by local NBC affiliate WLWT. “I can’t stand the sight of him or even the mention of him.”
Botner’s statement became especially emotional when he read a jaw-dropping statement.
“I wish I hadn’t said that,” Caleb said in court, before reading the message he sent to Flynn: “I want to kill him, Caleb.”
Caleb Flynn’s response was: “He said, ‘That makes two of us.'”
Botner, who currently works as a marketing specialist, said she met Caleb Flynn in 2022 while interning at their church.
Watch a clip of Botner’s testimony, via WLWT, below.
She claimed that she began a sexual relationship with Caleb Flynn in May 2024, even though she knew he was married and had been introduced to his wife.
According to WLWT, Botner said she and Caleb Flynn continued to discuss their future together until Feb. 15, the day before Ashley Flynn’s death.
“Alleigha, I love you and if you give me one more chance, I will love you until the day you die,” Flynn wrote to Botner. Afterwards, Botner said, “‘I choose you, Alleigha. You are more than enough. Good night.'”
Ashley Flynn, 37, was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds on February 16 in the Tipp City, Ohio, home she shared with Caleb Flynn. The couple’s daughters, ages 9 and 11, were sleeping at the time.
Authorities had been called to the scene by Caleb Flynn, who told a 911 dispatcher that someone had broken into the house in the middle of the night and killed his wife.
Three days later, Caleb Flynn was arrested and charged with murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of tampering with evidence. He pleaded not guilty.
Caleb Flynn, an Ohio native, competed briefly on the 12th season of “American Idol” in 2013. He was excluded from the competition shortly thereafter and was unable to make the televised rounds.
You can find a short interview with Caleb Flynn on the official “American Idol” YouTube account. In it, he says he loves his wife “more than anything” and names Carrie Underwood as his favorite “Idol” winner.