Ray William Johnson: True Story Podcast - This American Idol Singer is in BIG Trouble // The Caleb Flynn Murder Story

Episode Date: October 12, 2026

Caleb Flynn, a 40-year-old former American Idol contestant and Ohio worship pastor, was sentenced to life in prison on October 5, 2026, for the aggravated murder of his 37-year-old wife, Ashley Flynn.

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free of charge. BetMGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with Eye Gaming Ontario. So this American Idol contestant is in big trouble. So the guy's name is Caleb and Caleb is around 37 when this starts, living in Tip City, Ohio, and you might remember him from American Idol back in 2013. The thing that makes me unique, you know, I absolutely love the Lord, I love my wife more than anything. So yeah, as you can see, Caleb is super religious. So even though he didn't make it very far on American Idol, he keeps singing every Sunday in his local church where he's a worship leader.

Now, his family goes to this church too, including his wife, this woman, Ashley. Ashley is a nice woman, everyone in the community loves her. And because he's married to Ashley, her dad gives Caleb a job in Ashley's family's business. So Caleb makes over $200,000 a year at a job that he didn't really have to earn. That being said, Caleb's got a pretty good life.

but he's about to screw it all up. Because one day, in 2022, he meets this woman, Botner. And Botner is 20 years old and she just joined the church and she wants to become a worship leader as well. And even though he's old enough to be her dad, over time, Caleb starts creeping on her. Like he starts chatting her up and texting with her until they're texting back and forth every day. And pretty quickly, Caleb tells her that he has feelings for her. And he lies to her, and he tells her that this is okay, because his wife had cheated on him in the past.

So now they just live like roommates. He also tells her, I hate my wife. I only stay with her for the kids. Of course, poor Ashley has never cheated on Caleb. She still thinks that they're in a happy marriage. Regardless, Botner believes him. So they start smashing on the regular. And soon, Botner catches feelings and she thinks she's in love.

And she really wants Caleb to divorce his wife. And in fact, she tells him this over and over again. But here's the thing. If Caleb divorces Ashley, that means he'll have to give up his high-paying job at her dad's company and his house and his clean reputation at the church. And he's not about to do that. So he keeps making excuses to Botner, like, I just need to fast for 40 days and then the Lord will tell me what to do. But see, Botner doesn't want to hear this.

Over time, she gets more and more possessive over Caleb and jealous any time that he's with his wife, Ashley. Like she tracks his location on his phone so that she knows when they're together. She'll text him, send me a selfie every hour to prove that you're not with her. She even gets mad when Caleb goes to his own daughter's birthday party, because it means that he's with his wife, Ashley. And the whole time, Caleb is still living with Ashley, pretending everything is fine. And they, like, go to church on Sundays, and Caleb and Botner both keep performing worship songs on stage together, singing about how much they love their God, all while Ashley and her family watch and cheer them on. So this has been going on for over a year and a half at this point.

So it's now 2025. And Ashley books a cruise for her and Caleb to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary together. And Botner finds out about this and she is pissed. She doesn't want him to go on a cruise with his wife. So Caleb promises her that he won't go. But of course he does go. And so Botner now is going crazy with jealousy and she says, texting him the whole time like I've never wanted to die more. She has to be happier than ever.

But then things start to fall apart. Because they're on this cruise and Ashley catches him texting Botner. And she's confused like you're texting another woman on our wedding anniversary trip? But instead of lashing out, Ashley messages Botner directly saying, I'm so confused. We should talk face to face. Because she's hoping that they can resolve this issue maturely and, you know, move past it. But Botner doesn't want to meet up. And she doesn't want to have to talk to her boyfriend's wife. What are you kidding? And so instead of feeling bad for Ashley, Botner makes it all about herself. Like she texts Caleb, you have no idea the turmoil and pain that has consumed me. And now this. But see, her selfishness is nothing compared to his.

I mean, he starts talking about killing his wife. He texts her, I was up till 4 a.m. last night crying and literally thinking of ways to kill her and not go to jail. Now, I have no idea why Botner would want to be with him after he starts talking about killing his wife, but she does. And she wants to be with him now. In fact, she replies, time is ticking and I can't wait forever. And so from here, she starts setting deadlines. for Caleb to leave his wife. First she says October, then she says Thanksgiving,

and then Christmas. And of course, he doesn't leave his wife and he misses all of her deadlines. Then he fails to meet the deadline in January 2026. And Botner finally cuts off all contact with him. Now at this point, Caleb, you know, could stop being such a sleaze bag and maybe divorce his wife or maybe stay away from Botner.

But that's not what he does. No, no, no. He begs Botner to come back to him over and over again. He even writes her corny love songs using AI to try and win her back. And he like sends them to her. But surprise, surprise, this doesn't work. Then one Saturday, he's at church and he sees her and he pulls her aside and he says, I swear I'm going to leave my wife.

I'm doing it in two days. February 16th. But see, Botner, she's skeptical. In fact, she goes ahead and drops a bomb on him. She says she's going to go on a date with another guy. And when Caleb hears this, he absolutely loses it. He has to have Botner for himself. And so here is where things get dark. So it's after midnight on February 16th, the exact day that Caleb told Botner that he's finally going to leave Ashley. And so he texts her, I choose you. A few hours later, Ashley is asleep in her bed, and Caleb gets his gun, and he sneaks in the room,

and blam, blam, he shoots her. Then he calls 911, and he puts on his best acting skills. Visit BetMGM Casino and check out the newest exclusive. The Price is Right Fortune Pick. BetMDM and GameSense remind you to play responsibly. 19 plus to wager. Ontario only. Please play responsibly.

If you have questions or concerns about your gambling or someone close to you, please contact Connects Ontario at 1-866-531-2,600 to speak to an advisor. Free of charge. BetMGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with Eye Gaming Ontario. Somebody broke into my home. Somebody broke in my home and shot my wife. Later, police get there, and he's sobbing, and he tells them a made-up story about how someone broke in

while he was asleep in the other room, and that person shot his wife. And the police, they're already skeptical. Because why would someone break in, not steal anything, shoot a sleeping woman, and then somehow get away without leaving a trace? It doesn't make sense. Hours later, Bautner wakes up, and she checks her. phone and she sees a DM from someone at her church saying that something bad had happened to Ashley.

So a bunch of people from the church go over to Ashley's parents' house to show support to the family. And Botner goes too. And she sees Caleb there. And they talk. And he whispers in her ear. It didn't happen the way we thought it would. Did it? And that is when she realizes this guy actually actually did go and murder his wife. Anyway, a few days later, police have enough evidence against him, and bam, they arrest him. Here's his mugshot. And later, he goes to trial,

and Botner completely flips on him. How would you describe your feelings from the defendant today? I hate him. Why the change from love to hate him? Because I believe that he murdered his wife. And so, yeah, Botner's testimony, along with their text, show that Caleb is guilty as fuck, but Caleb still refuses to take responsibility.

I will continue to fight for my innocence as long as the Lord allows me to as I did not kill my life. And so, at the end of it all, he's found guilty and he gets sentenced to life in prison.