A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murders of American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas DeLuca, who were found dead in their Encino home following what investigators describe as a deadly confrontation during a break-in.
Raymond Boodarian faces charges in the deaths of Kaye and DeLuca, both 70 years old, who were discovered during a welfare check on July 15, 2025, after neighbors had not heard from them for four days. The couple’s bodies were found with fatal gunshot wounds to the head, with Kaye discovered in the pantry and DeLuca in the bathroom of their $4.5 million home.
Surveillance footage from the victims’ home provided crucial evidence that led to Boodarian’s arrest. According to investigators, the video shows the murders occurred on July 11, 2025, when the suspect jumped the fence surrounding the property and entered through an unlocked sliding glass door. Kaye and DeLuca arrived home approximately 30 minutes later, leading to a fatal encounter.
LAPD Lt. Guy Golan indicated that investigators found a handgun in the suspect’s home and believe it may be the murder weapon, though forensic analysis is still pending. The lieutenant explained that there was a confrontation that resulted in the victims receiving multiple gunshot wounds.
The home where the murders occurred had been described by investigators as highly fortified, surrounded by an eight-foot wall topped with security spikes and equipped with surveillance cameras throughout the property. Despite these security measures, the killer was able to find an unsecured entry point. Officers had been called to the residence on July 11 after receiving two reports of a man jumping fences in the neighborhood, but they left after no one answered and nothing appeared suspicious.
Blood was found in the entryway of the home, and investigators noted a broken window, though the residence did not appear to have been ransacked, indicating the incident was not a typical burglary. The property had previously been owned by rapper Juice WRLD, who died of an accidental overdose in 2019, before Kaye and DeLuca purchased it for approximately $4.5 million in 2023.
Boodarian has a documented criminal history involving violent incidents with family members. He had been charged more than a year prior with battery and exhibiting a deadly weapon, but those charges were later dismissed. Court documents reveal that three months before the dismissal, Boodarian was determined to be mentally incompetent. Additional charges included brandishing a knife and making criminal threats against his stepfather in 2023, as well as battery against his mother and sister in 2024. All three misdemeanor cases were dismissed in late 2024.
Criminal defense attorney Lou Shapiro explained how California’s legal system may have contributed to the suspect’s release. He noted that there is a separate court specifically for people with mental health issues, and while most individuals who go through that track do well, this case represents a situation where the system may not have functioned as intended.
Kaye had worked as a music supervisor on American Idol for 15 seasons, beginning in 2009, and had won multiple Guild of Music Supervisors Awards for her work on the show. Her portfolio also included work on “Lip Sync Battle,” Miss USA, and Miss Universe productions. Her husband, DeLuca, was a musician.
An American Idol spokesperson expressed devastation over the deaths, stating that Kaye had been a cornerstone of the Idol family and was truly loved and respected by all who came in contact with her. The spokesperson noted that “Robin will remain in our hearts forever.”
The Encino neighborhood where the murders occurred has experienced a pattern of break-ins and burglaries in recent years. In late May 2025, “Black-ish” star Anthony Anderson’s home was broken into while he was attending a charity event. One week later, a jewelry store in the area was robbed by burglars who used blowtorches to open a safe.
LAPD Captain Mike Bland emphasized the importance of basic security measures, particularly securing all windows and doors first. He noted that surveillance video often serves as the best tool for identifying perpetrators, especially when the footage is of good quality and can be used with facial recognition technology.
Charges against Boodarian were expected to be filed on July 17, 2025. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to process forensic evidence and build their case against the suspect.
