Tragic Encino Murders: ‘American Idol’ Executive and Husband Killed, Suspect’s 911 Call Delays Discovery
On July 14, 2025, the bodies of Robin Kaye, a longtime music supervisor for American Idol, and her husband, Thomas DeLuca, were discovered shot to death in their upscale Encino home. The couple, both 70, were killed four days earlier on July 10, allegedly by 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian, who used the victims’ own gun during a botched burglary. Disturbingly, Boodarian reportedly called 911 from the victims’ home after the killings, yet police did not find the bodies until a welfare check prompted by a neighbor’s concern. This article delves into the details of the crime, the suspect’s background, the community’s response, and the broader implications for public safety in Los Angeles, as reported by the Los Angeles Times on July 22, 2025.
Details of the Crime
Robin Kaye and Thomas DeLuca were killed in their $4.5-million home in the 4700 block of White Oak Avenue, Encino, on July 10, 2025. According to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, the couple returned home from grocery shopping and encountered Boodarian, who had entered through an unlocked sliding glass door despite the home’s fortifications, including an 8-foot spiked wall and surveillance cameras. A violent confrontation ensued, during which Boodarian allegedly used a firearm belonging to Kaye and DeLuca to shoot them multiple times, with both victims sustaining gunshot wounds to the head. The bodies were found in separate rooms, suggesting the killings occurred during a struggle.
Boodarian, a 22-year-old Encino resident, reportedly called 911 from the victims’ home after the shootings, providing his own name to authorities. However, when Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers responded to the call around 4 p.m. on July 10, they found the property locked, saw no signs of disturbance, and left after a helicopter flyover revealed nothing suspicious. It was not until July 14, when a neighbor requested a welfare check after noticing the couple’s absence, that officers returned, spotted blood on the front porch, and broke a glass window to enter the home, discovering the bodies.
Surveillance footage later confirmed Boodarian’s entry into the home by scaling a fence and entering through the unlocked door. The footage showed he was inside for about 30 minutes before the couple arrived. A handgun recovered from Boodarian’s residence is believed to be the murder weapon, pending forensic analysis. The home was not ransacked, and the motive remains unclear, with investigators exploring whether the killings were random or connected to prior interactions.
The Victims: Robin Kaye and Thomas DeLuca
Robin Kaye was a veteran music supervisor who worked on American Idol from 2009 to 2023, contributing to nearly 300 episodes. Her career also included music supervision for The Singing Bee, Hollywood Game Night, Lip Sync Battle, and multiple Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants. Colleagues remembered her as a “cornerstone of the ‘Idol’ family,” known for her kindness, fairness, and dedication. Randy Jackson, an original American Idol judge, praised her as a “dear friend” who meticulously ensured songs were cleared for the show. American Idol issued a statement expressing devastation and highlighting Kaye’s lasting impact.
Thomas DeLuca was a singer-songwriter and rock musician, best known for his 1986 album Down to the Wire. His most recent work, the 2022 album Street Rock, reflected his enduring passion for music. The couple, who purchased the Encino home in 2023, were described by neighbors as “nice people” and were well-regarded in their community. Their deaths have shaken the entertainment industry and the Encino neighborhood, once considered a safe enclave.
The Suspect: Raymond Boodarian
Raymond Boodarian, arrested on July 15 by a joint LAPD-FBI task force, faces two counts of murder, one count of first-degree residential burglary, and special allegations for multiple murders, murder during a robbery, and personal use of a firearm. If convicted, he could face life without parole or the death penalty, though California’s moratorium on executions makes the latter unlikely. Boodarian is being held without bail at Twin Towers Correctional Facility, with his arraignment postponed to August 20, 2025.
Boodarian has a troubling criminal history, including 2023 charges for brandishing a knife and making criminal threats against his stepfather, and 2024 charges for battery against his mother and sister. These misdemeanor cases were dismissed in December 2024 after Boodarian was deemed mentally incompetent and placed under a conservatorship. Criminal defense attorney Lou Shapiro noted that California’s mental health court system typically diverts such individuals to rehabilitation, but Boodarian’s case suggests a failure in oversight, raising questions about whether he “slipped through the cracks.”
Community and Official Response
The Encino murders have heightened fears in the San Fernando Valley, where a series of deadly burglaries has eroded the sense of safety. At a July 21, 2025, town hall hosted by the Encino Neighborhood Council, over 200 residents expressed outrage over the LAPD’s failure to discover the bodies during the initial 911 response. District Attorney Hochman, addressing the crowd, called the killings a “senseless” tragedy that violated the sanctity of the victims’ home. Residents demanded answers about why Boodarian, with his criminal and mental health history, was free to commit the crime.
The LAPD, led by Chief Jim McDonnell, acknowledged similarities to two other Valley homicides in 2025, where 911 calls did not lead to immediate discoveries of victims. In April, Menashe Hidra was found dead in his Valley Village apartment days after neighbors reported a disturbance, and Aleksandre Modebadze was discovered beaten to death in Woodland Hills after similar delays. The department is investigating whether officers followed protocol during the July 10 response, with Lt. Guy Golan noting the home’s fortified design obscured visibility of the crime scene. In response, LAPD Capt. Michael Bland announced increased overnight patrols in Encino.
Broader Societal Implications
The Encino killings highlight several societal issues, including the challenges of mental health intervention, the effectiveness of policing protocols, and rising concerns about property crime in affluent neighborhoods. Despite a 20% drop in Los Angeles homicides in the first half of 2025, the lowest in nearly 60 years, targeted burglaries in the San Fernando Valley have sparked alarm. Neighbors noted prior break-in attempts at Kaye and DeLuca’s home, which was previously owned by the late rapper Juice WRLD and used as a rental property.
The case also underscores flaws in California’s mental health and criminal justice systems. Boodarian’s prior charges were dismissed after mental competency hearings, yet he was not under sufficient supervision to prevent further criminal activity. Legal experts question whether his case was mishandled or if systemic gaps in mental health diversion programs contributed to the tragedy.
Conclusion
The murders of Robin Kaye and Thomas DeLuca have left a profound impact on Encino, the entertainment industry, and the broader Los Angeles community. The failure to act on Boodarian’s 911 call, coupled with his history of mental health issues and criminal behavior, has raised urgent questions about public safety and systemic oversight. As the case proceeds to court, it will likely fuel debates over how to balance mental health treatment, criminal justice reform, and community security. For now, the loss of Kaye and DeLuca, remembered for their contributions to music and their kindness, serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities even in seemingly secure neighborhoods.
