LOS ANGELES – The entertainment world is in mourning—and in shock—after longtime American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye, 70, and her husband Thomas DeLuca, a respected music producer, were found brutally murdered inside their multi-million-dollar home in the upscale Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The couple, both beloved within the industry for their talent and mentorship, were discovered on Sunday, July 14, with gunshot wounds to the head, lying in separate rooms of their luxury residence. Police believe they were killed days earlier in what is being called a “targeted, calculated home invasion” by an intruder who may have stayed hidden inside the house for hours—or even days.

The suspect, Raymond Boodarian, 22, was arrested the following day after damning surveillance footage and forensic evidence linked him to the scene. Police say the motive remains unclear, but what they do know is chilling: this was no ordinary break-in.

A Hollywood Dream Turned Nightmare

The $4.5 million Encino estate was supposed to be a sanctuary for Kaye and DeLuca—a place to retire, create, and inspire others. But now, it’s a crime scene sealed with yellow tape and patrolled by homicide detectives.

According to LAPD reports, friends and colleagues grew concerned after not hearing from the couple for several days. On Sunday afternoon, a welfare check was requested. Officers arrived to find the home silent and locked. When no one responded, they entered through a side window—and made a grim discovery.

Robin Kaye was found dead in the kitchen pantry, her body partially concealed. Thomas DeLuca was located in the bathroom, slumped near the tub. Both had been shot in the head at close range.

“It was an execution-style killing,” one officer told reporters off the record. “No signs of forced entry. Whoever did this either got in quietly—or was already inside.”

The Prime Suspect: A Stranger in the Shadows

Just 24 hours after the grisly discovery, LAPD arrested Raymond Boodarian, a 22-year-old man who lived less than a mile away. He was identified through surveillance footage, which allegedly captured him approaching the home on July 10 and slipping through an unlocked rear entry.

Police believe Boodarian remained inside the house for an unknown period. When Kaye and DeLuca returned home—possibly catching him in the act—a violent confrontation ensued.

“This was not a random hit-and-run. He stayed, waited, and killed when he was found,” said LAPD Detective Marisol Vega.

The motive remains murky. Boodarian had no known relationship to either Kaye or DeLuca. Court records reveal a minor criminal history, but nothing suggesting he was capable of murder.

Psychological experts speculate the suspect may have suffered from mental illness or delusions, but formal evaluations are pending.

Remembering Robin Kaye

Robin Kaye’s name may not be known to the average American, but in the music industry, she was a giant.

Having served as a music supervisor and mentor on American Idol for over a decade, Kaye was instrumental in launching the careers of breakout stars like Ava Monet, Jax Monroe, and Dorian Blake. Her meticulous ear for arrangements, emotional intelligence, and fierce advocacy for artists earned her widespread respect.

“She was more than a music director—she was a life coach, a therapist, and a best friend,” said American Idol judge Katy Perry in a tearful Instagram video tribute. “She believed in voices before they believed in themselves.”

In 2023, Kaye quietly stepped back from the show, citing burnout and a desire to “focus on art without deadlines.” In her last public interview, she spoke passionately about supporting aging artists and building a music fellowship for underrepresented voices.

Thomas DeLuca: The Quiet Architect

While less well-known to the public, Thomas DeLuca was a respected figure in the indie music scene. He released an experimental album, Street Rock, in 2022 and collaborated with dozens of Los Angeles-based artists on scoring projects, jazz fusion EPs, and socially conscious documentaries.

Friends say DeLuca was “gentle, generous, and a true genius.”

“He had a way of creating space for you to be exactly who you were, musically and emotionally,” said longtime collaborator Neema James.

The couple had been married for 28 years and recently celebrated their anniversary with a private dinner at Malibu’s Nobu, according to a post on Kaye’s now-deleted Instagram account.

A City in Shock

As the news spread, tributes began flooding social media and entertainment channels.

Ryan Seacrest tweeted: “Still can’t believe this. Robin and Thomas were lights in every room. My heart aches.”
American Idol released a statement calling Kaye “an irreplaceable part of the show’s heart and soul.”
Outside the production studios in Burbank, fans have left candles, flowers, and hand-written letters.

Mayor Karen Bass also issued a statement condemning the violence: “Los Angeles mourns two cultural figures who helped shape the sound of a generation. We will not rest until justice is fully served.”

Unanswered Questions

Though police have their suspect, many questions remain.

How did Boodarian know the couple wasn’t home?
Why did he stay?
Was robbery truly the motive—or was something deeper at play?

Detectives confirm that electronics and other valuables were missing from the house, but many believe the cold precision of the murders suggests a psychological or symbolic motive rather than simple theft.

Investigators are also reviewing whether previous calls to police on July 10, which reported suspicious activity at the Kaye-DeLuca home, were properly followed up. Some in the community say the tragedy might have been prevented had authorities responded more aggressively.

Legacy in the Shadow of Loss

In the aftermath of this unimaginable act, those who loved Robin and Thomas are left not only with grief—but also with a sense of stolen potential. The couple had been planning to launch a new artist residency program for underprivileged youth in South L.A. this fall.

“It breaks my heart,” said singer Luna Rae, one of Kaye’s former mentees. “She wanted to give back. She wanted to build something lasting. And now… she’s gone.”

Robin Kaye and Thomas DeLuca didn’t just shape music—they shaped people. Their loss is a wound the creative community will feel for years to come. But their legacy? It lives in every voice they lifted, every song they inspired, and every life they changed.