Ex-American Idol Contestant Faces New Charges Over What Authorities Suspect He Did Days After Wife’s Murder

A formal indictment accuses Caleb Flynn of attempting to intimidate a witness in the days after the Feb. 16 killing of his wife Ashley Flynn

Ashley Flynn and Caleb Flynn with their children; and Caleb Flynn in jail.Credit :  Ashley Flynn/Facebook; WLWT/Youtube

NEED TO KNOW

Caleb Flynn faces new charges including aggravated murder and witness intimidation in connection with his wife’s death
Ashley Flynn, a beloved volleyball coach and mom of two, was killed in their Ohio home on Feb. 16 in what Caleb allegedly told police was a break-in
Ashley’s family has said they trust the authorities’ decision to charge Caleb

Former American Idol contestant Caleb Flynn is now facing additional charges in connection with the February killing of his wife Ashley Flynn in their Ohio home.

Ashley, a beloved volleyball coach and mom of two, was found dead after what Caleb allegedly said was a break-in at their Tipp City, Ohio home in the early morning hours of Feb. 16.

Authorities arrested Caleb on Feb. 19 on several charges including murder, according to court records previously cited by PEOPLE.

Now, a formal indictment filed this month in Miami County Common Pleas court and obtained by PEOPLE shows Caleb is facing two additional counts of witness intimidation, two additional counts of murder and one count of aggravated murder.

The original complaint reviewed by PEOPLE in the immediate aftermath of Ashley’s killing did not indicate these charges; they were included in the indictment filed on Wednesday, March 18.

In the indictment, authorities accuse Caleb of attempting to intimidate someone who witnessed the crime. He was charged with two counts, but it wasn’t immediately clear if more than one witness was subjected to this alleged intimidation.

The time-frame for that alleged offense was listed as between Feb. 16 and Feb. 18 — the days between Ashley’s killing and Caleb’s arrest.

Further details pertaining to the charge, such as who he is accused of trying to intimidate, were not available.

Ashley Flynn.Sarah Blake Morgan

Ashley and Caleb shared two daughters, both of whom were inside the residence when the alleged murder took place.

“Ashley brought endless light to our world, and we are trying to navigate this immense loss,” her family said in a statement, adding that they believe Caleb’s arrest “was made carefully and not without serious consideration.”

They said that “the process is being handled appropriately.”

Caleb was a contestant on the 12th season of American Idol. In an interview on the show in 2013, he told viewers that what made him unique was his religion and his “very, very pretty wife,” whom he loved “more than anything.”

According to the indictment, Caleb has been charged with one count of aggravated murder, three counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault, three counts of tampering with evidence and two counts of intimidation of a witness.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges during an arraignment on Thursday, per court records.