‘American Idol’ Wife Killer Caleb Flynn’s Daughters Send Heartbreaking Messages

American Idol alum Caleb Flynn has been sentenced to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of murdering his wife, Ashley Flynn, while she slept inside their Ohio home in February.

According to CNN, Caleb (40) received the maximum sentence, life without parole, for the murder of his wife. He was also sentenced to 9 years in prison for tampering with evidence and 7 years in prison for firearm enhancements. All sentences are to be served consecutively.

The former reality star must also pay $20,000 in restitution to Ashley’s parents for expenses related to her funeral.

Caleb was charged with shooting Ashley in the head while she was sleeping in bed and while their two daughters, Ava (10) and Alyssa (12), were sleeping in their bedrooms close by. He denied the accusations and claimed that his wife was killed by a home intruder who entered the house while he was asleep in one of his daughters’ bedrooms.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors argued that Caleb murdered his wife and staged a home invasion due to a two-year affair with a fellow worship leader at his church, Alleigha Botner (24). During the trial, Botner was made to read her text messages with Caleb, one of which said, “I want to kill her,” referring to Ashley.

Caleb admitted to his infidelity during Monday’s (October 5) sentencing but maintained his innocence in his wife’s murder.

Before the sentencing, family members read heartbreaking letters from Caleb’s two daughters. “Mommy was the perfect person, the absolute perfect person. What did she ever do to make you hate her so much?” 10-year-old Ava wrote, per CNN.

“Did you really even think about how much pain you would bring your own two daughters?” 12-year-old Alyssa asked in her own statement. “Ashley Flynn was the best thing that ever happened to you. You had the best life ever, and you decided to throw it away for a girl who was half your age.”

Ava, who described her mom as her “best friend,” told her dad, “My heart aches to see you hurt, but then I think it was your choice. It was your choice to leave your only two daughters. It was your choice to hide everything from everyone, and it was your choice to kill the only mother I’ve ever had.”

“Unfortunately, that was a choice that cannot be erased, even though I really wish it could,” she added.

Alyssa and Ava both urged their father to admit his guilt. “I wish that you could come to understand that actions have consequences and you have a lot to pay,” Alyssa said. “The least you could do is tell everyone you did it and receive your outcome.”

Caleb sobbed in court as in-laws read the letters from his daughters.

Alyssa ended her message with hope for the future, writing, “Through all of what you put me through, God is gonna work something out for good. And by the way, I don’t plan on coming to see you.”