'American Idol' alum Caleb Flynn barred from collecting late wife's life insurance

Banner Life Insurance Company has asked a federal court in Ohio to determine who should receive the proceeds of Ashley Flynn’s $100,000 life insurance policy. 

Her husband, Caleb Flynn, was named the sole beneficiary and is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole for her murder.

In a lawsuit filed on Tuesday, November 10, the insurer said Caleb was listed as both the owner and sole beneficiary when the policy was issued in March 2016, nearly a decade before Ashley was killed. No alternate beneficiary was named, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.

Banner argues that Ohio’s “slayer statute” bars Caleb from collecting the proceeds because of his conviction. The insurer said the amount payable now exceeds $100,000 after interest and premium refunds. It is seeking to deposit the money with the court so a judge can decide who is entitled to it.

The lawsuit names Caleb’s parents and brother, Ashley’s parents, sister and brother-in-law, and the couple’s two daughters as defendants. Banner is not accusing the relatives of wrongdoing. It named them as parties so the court can resolve who should receive the money.

Caleb was sentenced in October after being convicted of fatally shooting Ashley and staging the scene to look like a break-in. In statements read at sentencing, both daughters condemned his actions. One said she would never visit him in prison.