Police tape blocked off Dixie Highway after one man was killed and multiple people were injured after an SUV collided with a TARC bus on Thursday evening. March 17, 2022 Jf Tarc 4l5a0415
Los Angeles, California – Robin Kaye, a beloved and longtime music supervisor for American Idol, and her husband, Thomas Deluca, were found shot to death Monday afternoon inside their San Fernando Valley home, days after authorities believe they were killed during a break-in and confrontation. Police have arrested 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian of Encino in connection with the killings.
Kaye, 70, worked on American Idol since 2009, shaping the soundscape of one of television’s most popular music competitions. Her industry peers remembered her as the “rock” of the show, a tireless professional who handled music clearance for major productions including Lip Sync Battle, The Singing Bee, and several Miss USA pageants. Her husband, Thomas Deluca, also 70, was found dead in a separate room of the home.
Law enforcement sources say the couple likely walked in on a burglary in progress late Thursday afternoon. The suspect allegedly entered the home through an unlocked door. A confrontation followed, during which both Kaye and Deluca were fatally shot. The LAPD responded to the home that same day for a prowler report but reportedly found no evidence of forced entry or criminal activity. Officers left the scene.
It wasn’t until Monday afternoon — following a welfare check request — that officers returned and found a trail of blood leading to a shattered sliding glass door. Inside, they discovered the couple’s bodies: Deluca in the bathroom, Kaye in the pantry. Both had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body. The delayed discovery of their deaths has added a layer of grief and disbelief to the tragedy.
Just weeks before the shooting, Kaye had contacted a private security firm with concerns about her safety. “She felt threatened,” said Kris Herzog, head of the Bodyguard Group of Beverly Hills. “Someone in the neighborhood made her uneasy.”
Police are still working to determine whether the suspect, Boodarian, had any prior connection to the victims. He was taken into custody without incident. No motive has been publicly confirmed.
The quiet Encino street where the couple lived has become a scene of heartbreak. Neighbors reported seeing a man hop a fence onto the property Thursday, shortly before the initial police response. No gunshots were heard. “We didn’t hear anything,” said Amee Faggen, who lives nearby. “It’s just so unsettling.”
Kaye’s death has sent ripples through the entertainment world. Colleagues remember her not only for her professionalism but for her warmth, humility, and steadfast presence. American Idol called her “a cornerstone of the Idol family.”
