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22-Year-Old Charged in Murder of ‘American Idol’ Music Supervisor Robin Kaye & Husband

American Idol News & Updates

July 16, 2025

Key Takeaway

LAPD arrested 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian for the July 10 double homicide of 70-year-old Robin Kaye and her husband.

Producers and contestants alike honored Robin Kaye’s 14-year legacy clearing songs on 300 Idol episodes.

Robin Kaye and her husband, fearing for their safety, sought private security days before a suspected burglary at their LA home left them dead.

Suspect allegedly climbed a fence, spent 30 minutes inside, then fatally shot American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband.

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22-Year-Old Arrested in Double Homicide of ‘American Idol’ Music Supervisor and Husband

On July 10, Los Angeles police discovered the bodies of Robin Kaye, a 15-year music supervisor on American Idol, and her husband, Thomas Deluca, inside their Encino home after responding to a welfare check. Both 70, they succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds following what investigators describe as a burglary confrontation. The LAPD’s West Valley Division reports that the suspect entered through an unlocked door while the couple was away, and fled on foot when Kaye and Deluca returned.

Just one day later, authorities arrested 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian in connection with the double homicide. Jail records describe Boodarian as having brown hair, black eyes, and weighing 151 pounds, with prior misdemeanor arrests on June 25, February 6, and October 22 of this year. While charges are currently listed as “felony,” detectives are probing whether he had any prior relationship with the victims or involvement in earlier service calls, including an attempted break-in four days before the murders.

Key details:

Victims: Robin Kaye (music supervisor, American Idol 2002–2023; Lip Sync Battle; Miss USA) and Thomas Deluca (songwriter/musician).
Crime scene: 4700 block of White Oak Avenue, Encino; no forced entry noted.
Investigation: Ongoing; LAPD urges anyone with information to call Operations-Valley Homicide at 818-374-9550 or 1-877-LAPD-24-7.

This arrest marks a swift response in a high-profile case that has shaken the Idol community. Producers and colleagues have expressed deep sorrow, underscoring Kaye’s role as a cornerstone of the franchise since 2009. As the investigation progresses, authorities aim to clarify motive and any potential connection between suspect and victims.

American Idol Mourns Beloved Music Supervisor Robin Kaye

American Idol producers and network executives have expressed profound sorrow following the tragic deaths of longtime music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas DeLuca. In an official statement, ABC-TV mourned a “cornerstone of the Idol family since 2009,” applauding Kaye’s unwavering professionalism and warmth. Executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick recalled her ability to secure even the most elusive licenses—most famously convincing Led Zeppelin to permit Adam Lambert’s cover of “Whole Lotta Love”—while always offering backup song ideas under tight weekly deadlines.

The extended Idol community has poured out heartfelt tributes, citing Kaye’s quiet kindness and artistic advocacy. Contestants from Kris Allen to Haley Reinhart and Rayvon Owen described her as a calming, motherly presence who fought tirelessly to clear their song choices and championed underdog artists. Their reflections underscore her impact:

She cleared thousands of songs across 300+ episodes over 14 seasons.
She negotiated landmark approvals, from Robert Plant to Fleetwood Mac’s “Rhiannon.”
She nurtured contestants’ confidence, staying in touch long after they left the show.

Robin Kaye’s legacy lives on in the series’ most iconic performances and in the countless artists she guided. As the Idol family grapples with this loss, her blend of tenacity, empathy and musical expertise remains a touchstone for all who shared the stage—on air and behind the scenes.

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'American Idol' Exec Felt Threatened Before Fatal Invasion

In the weeks before the July 10 double homicide, longtime American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca, reported a growing unease around their $4.5 million Encino estate. Despite towering walls topped with metal spikes, the couple encountered shadowy figures near their property—and even an attempted fence‐hop captured by a neighbor’s tenant. Concerned for their lives, Kaye reached out to the Bodyguard Group of Beverly Hills, telling owner Kris Herzog she “felt threatened by somebody around their home or neighborhood,” yet the contract was never finalized.

The couple’s precautionary measures stood in stark contrast to the vulnerability that preceded their deaths. According to police, suspect Raymond Boodarian, 22, allegedly entered the residence through an unlocked door and spent roughly 30 minutes inside before being confronted. Neighbors say officers responded earlier to a burglary call at the same address but found no signs of forced entry. Key details:

Private security inquiry made days before the fatal break-in
High walls, surveillance blind spots at sliding glass doors
Neighbor reports of fence-hopping ignored as unrelated
Lifeless bodies found in separate rooms during a July 15 welfare check

Their tragic end underscores the limits of defensive measures against determined intruders—and raises urgent questions about resource gaps in private home security.

Encino Couple Shot in Violent Burglary, Suspect Arrested

Investigators say the couple was shot to death during a violent burglary at their Encino home, where the suspect allegedly forced entry before the fatal shooting. On July 10, 70-year-olds Robin Kaye—longtime music supervisor for American Idol—and her husband, singer-songwriter Thomas Deluca, returned to their White Oak Avenue residence just after 4 p.m. Having jumped a perimeter fence, 22-year-old suspect Raymond Boodarian was inside for roughly 30 minutes when the couple confronted him. According to LAPD Lt. Guy Golan, a violent struggle ensued and both victims were ruthlessly shot multiple times before Boodarian fled on foot. An initial July 10 burglary call yielded no signs of forced entry, and no weapon has yet been recovered. The couple’s bodies were discovered during a welfare check five days later; Boodarian was arrested July 16 and booked on two counts of murder.

Key Details:

Victims: Robin Kaye (70) and Thomas Deluca (70)
Suspect: Raymond Boodarian, 22, arrested July 16 by LAPD
Modus Operandi: Fence hop; ~30 minutes inside; no inside surveillance; no known motive
Crime Scene: 4700 block of White Oak Ave., Encino; initial call showed no forced entry

Both seasoned industry professionals, Kaye spent 15 seasons (2009–2023) securing music rights on American Idol, plus credits on The Singing Bee, Lip Sync Battle, Hollywood Game Night and multiple Miss USA/Universe pageants. Deluca rose to fame with his 1986 album Down To The Wire and most recently released Street Rock in 2022. In statements, American Idol producers called Kaye “a cornerstone of the Idol family,” while investigators continue probing Boodarian’s background and any possible links to the victims, urging anyone with information to contact Valley Homicide Detectives.

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