The Tipp City Police Department has released key findings from the autopsy of Ashley Flynn, the 37-year-old substitute teacher and volleyball coach who was fatally shot in her home during an apparent burglary early Monday, February 16, 2026. The examination, conducted Tuesday morning by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office with support from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), confirmed that Flynn died from multiple gunshot wounds to various parts of her body. The official cause of death was ruled homicide, solidifying the case as a targeted killing amid what authorities continue to describe as a “complex” home invasion.

Flynn was discovered deceased at the scene shortly after officers responded to a 911 call reporting a burglary in progress with a resident shot. The call came in around 2:30 a.m. from the 900 block of Cunningham Court, a quiet residential street in this small Miami County community north of Dayton. Her husband, Caleb Flynn, and their two young children were inside the home at the time but were not physically injured. Police secured the family, established a perimeter, and launched an extensive search using K-9 units and a drone, but no suspect was located in the immediate area.

The autopsy results provide critical detail: Flynn sustained several gunshot wounds, with injuries distributed across multiple locations on her body. While the exact number and precise trajectories have not been publicly detailed to protect investigative integrity, Chief Greg Adkins noted that the wounds were consistent with a violent, close-range encounter during the burglary. The coroner’s report ruled out any self-inflicted injuries or accidental discharge, confirming the manner of death as homicide. Toxicology and other ancillary tests are pending, but preliminary findings have given investigators a clearer picture of the assault’s ferocity.

Authorities have maintained that the incident began as a burglary that escalated dramatically. There were clear signs of forced entry at the residence, though specifics about the point of breach—such as a door, window, or other access—remain withheld. The presence of the family inside the home at such an hour suggests the intruder may not have anticipated occupants being awake or able to respond. Flynn’s husband reportedly called 911 after the shooting, alerting authorities to the ongoing threat.

The case has drawn resources from multiple agencies. The Ohio BCI assisted with crime scene processing and evidence collection from the outset, while the FBI joined the investigation early, providing additional forensic and analytical support. Chief Adkins has described the collaboration as essential for a thorough probe, emphasizing that the department is treating every lead seriously. Police are reviewing physical evidence from the scene—including potential fingerprints, DNA, shell casings, or trace materials—while canvassing neighbors for surveillance footage, witness observations, or reports of suspicious vehicles or individuals in the hours before 2:30 a.m.

Flynn was remembered fondly across the Tipp City community. As a substitute teacher in the Tipp City Exempted Village School District, she brought warmth and dedication to classrooms whenever called upon. She previously served as a full-time educator in the district and, more recently, coached seventh-grade volleyball at Tippecanoe Middle School, where she was known for her patience, encouragement, and genuine investment in her players’ growth. School officials issued a statement expressing profound sorrow, highlighting her role as a “dedicated” educator and coach whose impact would endure. A GoFundMe campaign launched by friends and supporters to aid the family quickly raised significant funds, with donors praising her faith, kindness, and commitment to family and community.

The neighborhood remains shaken. Tipp City, a tight-knit suburb with a reputation for safety and family values, has seen few incidents of this severity. Residents have shared feelings of vulnerability, with some installing extra security measures or discussing neighborhood watch efforts. The fact that a mother was killed while her husband and children were home but unharmed has heightened fears, prompting questions about how such violence could occur in a place where people often feel secure.

No suspect has been identified or arrested, and police continue to urge the public to come forward with any information, no matter how minor. Anonymous tips are welcomed through the department’s tip line, and investigators are actively following up on community submissions. The involvement of federal resources signals the case’s priority and complexity, with hopes that forensic breakthroughs—such as ballistics matching, digital evidence, or witness corroboration—will lead to an arrest.

In the meantime, the Flynn family faces an unimaginable loss. Caleb, who once appeared on American Idol and built a life centered on faith and family, now navigates grief while protecting their two children from the trauma. The community has rallied around them with prayers, meals, and financial support, reflecting the deep bonds Flynn forged through her work and kindness.

As the investigation enters its next phase, the autopsy’s confirmation of multiple gunshot wounds and homicide ruling serves as a stark reminder of the violence that shattered a family’s world in the dead of night. Tipp City waits for justice, holding tight to memories of Ashley Flynn—a woman whose life was defined by love, service, and positivity, not the tragic manner of her death.