Robin Kaye, a longtime music supervisor for American Idol, and her husband Thomas Deluca were found dead in their Encino home on July 14. Both were 70 years old and had been shot multiple times in the head. Police believe they were killed during a home invasion on July 10, the same day officers first responded to reports of a burglary at the property.
According to People, the couple was discovered in their $4.5 million home after police conducted a welfare check around 2:30 p.m. on July 14. Kaye was found in the pantry while Deluca was found in the bathroom. According to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner, their time of death was recorded at 4:14 p.m. on July 10.
Police sources say the American Idol executive and her husband found shot to death, were dead for 4 days before police found them. Officers had initially visited the home on July 10 around 4:00 p.m. after receiving reports of a possible burglary. However, they did not enter the property at that time because there were no visible signs of forced entry from the outside.
Suspect arrested and charged with double murder
Raymond Boodarian, a 22-year-old Encino resident, was arrested on July 15 without incident. He was charged two days later with two counts of murder and one count of residential burglary with a person present. The murder charges include special circumstances for multiple murders and murder during a burglary, as well as firearm allegations.
Breaking News: American Idol’ boss, husband executed in their $4.5 million home in gory double murder. neighbors spotted a suspicious person illegal alien hopping the fence last Thursday night.
— For God and Countrypic.twitter.com/oPxjsygpHc
(@UltraAssassin7) July 15, 2025
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman called the attack “tragic” and said it has shaken the Valley community. “In a matter of moments, this couple was senselessly killed in their own home as they returned from the grocery store,” Hochman said in a statement. His office will decide later whether to seek the death penalty against Boodarian.
Court records show that Boodarian has a criminal history that includes charges of battery, exhibiting a deadly weapon, and threatening to commit a crime with intent to terrorize. Those charges were later dismissed following court hearings related to mental competency and conservatorship. Police believe the suspect entered through an unlocked door and encountered the couple when they returned home. “A confrontation ensued, which resulted in the suspect taking their lives,” the LAPD confirmed.
Security expert had warned victim about home safety
Earlier this year, Kaye had contacted a private security company about increased burglaries in the area. Her security concerns reflect the vulnerabilities that many celebrities face despite their apparent success and resources. Kris Herzog, who owns The Bodyguard Group and works with high-profile clients, says he spoke with Kaye about home security. He warned her that cameras and alarms could give a false sense of security and advised her to purchase bear spray or pepper ball guns to hide throughout the house. “She said OK thanks we’ll think about it and never called us back,” Herzog said.
Herzog claims that police sources told him the alarm system was off when the suspect entered on July 10. He criticized the LAPD’s policy of not entering properties without overwhelming probable cause, suggesting this may have prevented officers from discovering the crime sooner. However, the LAPD declined to comment on these claims, citing the ongoing investigation.
Kaye worked on nearly 300 episodes of American Idol between 2009 and 2023. Her death adds to a tragic history of losses within the American Idol family, though this marks the first behind-the-scenes executive to be killed. Her other credits include The Singing Bee, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the NAACP Image Awards.
Deluca was a musician best known for his 1986 album Down to the Wire. American Idol called Kaye “a cornerstone of the ‘Idol’ family” and said the team was “devastated” by the news. The tragedy echoes similar losses that have affected reality singing competitions in recent years. Boodarian remains in custody with bail denied and is expected to be arraigned on August 20 at the Van Nuys courthouse.
