"American Idol" executive Robin Kaye and her husband shot and killed at Encino home, suspect arrested, police say

Published: Jul 17 2025

Officials from the Los Angeles Police Department announced the arrest of a suspect on Tuesday, in connection with the murder of "American Idol" executive Robin Kaye and her spouse, Thomas Deluca. The duo was discovered deceased in their Encino residence on Monday. Raymond Boodarian, a 22-year-old individual, was apprehended at his abode and charged with the homicide of Kaye and Deluca, both aged 70, whose identities were confirmed by authorities in the afternoon of the same day. Boodarian remains incarcerated without the possibility of bail, as per police statements.

Kaye, who served as the music supervisor for the singing competition series, was an esteemed member of the "American Idol" family. A spokesperson for the show issued a heartfelt statement, "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Robin and her beloved husband, Tom. Robin has been a pivotal figure within the Idol community since 2009, adored and respected by all who crossed her path. She will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends during this trying time."

The tragic discovery unfolded early Monday morning when officers responded to a wellness check at the couple's home on White Oak Avenue. Both Kaye and Deluca were pronounced deceased at the scene.

LAPD's investigation delved into surveillance footage, conversations with friends and family, and a prior radio call regarding a potential burglary suspect at the residence on July 10 at approximately 4 p.m. Lieutenant Guy Golan of LAPD clarified that police were unable to enter the property due to its heavily fortified nature. An aerial inspection via airship failed to uncover any apparent signs of distress or forced entry.

Further scrutiny of surveillance footage later revealed the suspect scaling a fence to gain access to Kaye and Deluca's premises. Although no signs of forced entry or distress were evident during the initial investigation, it is now believed that the suspect entered the residence through an unlocked door.

Upon returning home, Kaye and Deluca reportedly encountered Boodarian, leading to a confrontation that culminated in a shooting. Found in separate rooms, both had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The suspect subsequently fled the scene on foot.

A CBS News analysis of LAPD "calls for service" revealed that police had been dispatched to the same West Valley police district four times in July for suspected burglaries, including three consecutive days from July 9 to 11, which encompassed a neighbor's call about a suspicious person at Kaye and Deluca's residence.

Jim Zourek, a 23-year LAPD veteran and Operations Director at Protector, explained the protocol followed during such incidents: "We conduct a thorough perimeter check, inspect all gates, security barriers, and look for any observable signs of a crime inside or outside, such as broken windows or open doors. Entry into the property is only made if there is objective evidence of a crime having been committed."

Intriguingly, there were only four such calls to LAPD in the same neighborhood during the first five months of the year, suggesting a possible surge in burglary attempts. However, it remains unclear if the same suspect was involved in each incident.

The couple had previously reached out to SecureIT Homes in May, following a different break-in. Despite this, police continue to believe the incident was random. "As unsettling as it may sound, it appears to be a random attack," Golan told CBS News. "It doesn't seem to be connected to any other nearby residences, making it a very odd and frightening random occurrence."

Boodarian was apprehended on Tuesday by LAPD detectives and members of the FBI Fugitive Task Force, who utilized security camera footage and facial recognition software to identify him.

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