Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Bodycam Shows ‘American Idol’ Contestant in Tears and Vomiting After Alleged Staged Burglary; His Arrest Follows Days Later | Crime Alert 03.03.26
Date: March 3, 2026
Host: Nancy Grace (Reported by Nicole Parton)
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline

Episode Overview

This episode’s primary focus is on the shocking developments in two high-profile crime stories:

1. The release of intense body cam footage following the shooting death of Ashley Flynn in Ohio, involving her husband Caleb Flynn (a former American Idol contestant and music pastor), who is now charged in connection with her murder.
2. The ongoing sexual assault trial of former Louisiana mayor Misty Roberts, including compelling witness testimony and the timeline of indictments.

Additional alerts include updates on a missing North Carolina teen.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bodycam Footage: The Death of Ashley Flynn

• Scene Setting: Authorities in Tipp City, Ohio, release bodycam video after the fatal shooting of Ashley Flynn, aged 37.
• Caleb Flynn's Reaction: The footage shows Caleb in visible emotional distress—crying, hyperventilating, and vomiting—after making a panicked 911 call about a supposed break-in.
• Family Devastation: The video captures the chaos as family members arrive and news is broken to Ashley and Caleb’s children and extended family.
• Alleged Staged Burglary: Despite the initial 911 call about a break-in, police take Caleb into custody three days later, charging him with murder, two counts of felonious assault, and two counts of tampering with evidence. He pleads not guilty.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Caleb’s Agony:
  • “Oh my God, Jesus. Jesus, Jesus.” (Caleb Flynn, 01:02)
  • “[Sobbing] Is she gone?” (Caleb Flynn, to officer, 01:02)
  • “Ashley’s dead… Mommy, she’s gone. She’s dead.” (Caleb Flynn, breaking down while calling his mother, 01:02-01:20)
  • “I don’t know what to do… I’m gonna be sick.” (Shortly before vomiting, 01:24)
• Family Impact:
  • “[To family member] The girls don’t know.” (Caleb Flynn, when family arrives, 01:50)
  • Footage shows the children’s grandmother breaking down upon hearing the news (01:55).

Case Context & Support

• Caleb Flynn was a contestant on American Idol Season 12.
• A GoFundMe campaign is set up for Ashley’s daughters.
• Caleb is being held on charges including homicide and evidence tampering.

2. Trial of Misty Roberts, Former Mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana

• New Testimony:
  • Jury in the sexual assault trial hears from a Doordash driver who delivered Plan B emergency contraception to Roberts’ home the morning after the alleged assault involving a 16-year-old boy (04:09–05:15).
  • The driver recalls the distinctive house and identifies Roberts as the mayor from a past Halloween visit.
• Family Witness Testimony:
  • Video from a Children’s Advocacy Center interview with Roberts’ own son, who recounts seeing something that “appeared” to be a sexual act between his mother and another person during the party—but retracts definitive confirmation in court (05:15–05:40).
  • Roberts’ nephew says he “believed” he witnessed sexual activity based on movement, but saw no explicit exposure.
• Case History:
  • Misty Roberts originally arrested for third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of minors (arrested 08/24/25; resigned as mayor before surrendering).
  • The trial was delayed by thrown-out indictments and a mistrial; new proceedings underway.

3. Crime Alert: Ongoing Search for Missing North Carolina Teen

• Missing Person Details:
  • Louis “Luigi” Tarrio, age 16, from Gastonia, NC, missing since Halloween.
  • Last seen leaving home in a dark gray 2017 Nissan Rogue (license plate: 3CH33RS).
  • No phone activity, vehicle and personal contact missing since disappearance.
  • Family suspects a mental health crisis but stresses he’s never run away.
  • Reward: $5,000 for information (06:25–07:10).
• Contact:
  • Gastonia Police Department at 704-866-6702.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Caleb Flynn, Grieving Husband:
  “Oh my God, Jesus. Jesus, Jesus.” — (01:02)
  “Ashley’s dead… Mommy, she’s gone. She’s dead.” — (01:08)
  “I don’t know what to do… I’m gonna be sick.” — (01:21)

• Nicole Parton, Host/Reporter:
  “He is also seen calling his mother to relay the heartbreaking news: ‘Ashley’s dead... she’s gone.’” — (01:08-01:14)
  “The couple had two daughters who were present in the home during the incident.” — (01:54)

• On Roberts’ Trial: “A Doordash driver testified that he received an order from someone named Misty C for Plan B and delivered the emergency contraceptive to Roberts’ home.” — (04:20)

• On the Missing Teen:
  “The family says he may be experiencing a mental health crisis. He has never been a runaway.” — (06:55)

Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:03 – Bodycam details released: Ashley Flynn shooting, Caleb Flynn’s distraught reaction
• 01:02 – Emotional breakdown of Caleb in the footage
• 01:54 – Arrival of family, impact on children
• 02:08 – Caleb arrested, charges overview
• 04:09 – Misty Roberts trial, Doordash driver testimony
• 05:20 – Family witnesses testify, recap of prior case delays
• 06:50 – Criminal alert: Louis “Luigi” Tarrio missing, plea for public help

Tone & Takeaways

This episode delivers intense, real-time emotional accounts and behind-the-scenes details of two distressing cases: one highlighting the heartbreak of alleged domestic homicide, the other uncovering troubling allegations of sexual assault and public betrayal. Listeners get a strong sense of the human cost and the unraveling of both cases as authorities seek justice.