The entertainment world was plunged into mourning on July 14, 2025, when news broke of the brutal murder of Robin Kaye, the longtime music supervisor for American Idol, and her husband, Thomas Deluca, inside their $5 million Encino, Los Angeles home. The couple, both 70, were found with gunshot wounds to the head, their deaths confirmed as a double homicide after a welfare check prompted by concerned neighbors and family. What adds a layer of heartbreak to this tragedy is a chilling detail: a month earlier, neighbors reported hearing Kaye express security concerns about her fortified property, a warning that went unheeded until it was too late. This article delves into the shocking incident, the lives of the victims, the investigation, the overlooked security plea, and the broader implications for community vigilance and celebrity safety.

The Discovery of a Double Homicide

On the afternoon of July 14, 2025, at approximately 2:30 PM, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers responded to a welfare check at the couple’s residence on the 4700 block of White Oak Avenue in Encino. The call came after relatives and neighbors had not heard from Kaye and Deluca for four days, raising alarms in the quiet, upscale neighborhood. Upon arrival, officers observed blood at the front entrance and, unable to gain immediate entry due to the home’s high-security features, broke a window to access the interior. Inside, they found Kaye in the pantry and Deluca in a bathroom, both deceased from multiple gunshot wounds. The scene’s grim nature led authorities to classify the incident as a double homicide, launching a swift investigation into the motive and perpetrator.

The following day, July 15, LAPD arrested 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian, an Encino resident, as the suspected killer. Police believe Boodarian entered the home through an unlocked door on July 10, coinciding with a prior burglary report, and shot the couple during a confrontation when they returned. The lack of forced entry and absence of theft suggest the attack may have been impulsive rather than premeditated, though the motive remains under scrutiny. The swift arrest brought some closure, but the community reels from the loss of two beloved figures.

Who Were Robin Kaye and Thomas Deluca?

Robin Kaye was a veteran music supervisor whose career spanned over four decades, leaving an indelible mark on television. Joining American Idol in 2009, she worked on nearly 300 episodes across 15 seasons, shaping the show’s musical identity until stepping away in 2023. Her expertise extended to projects like Lip Sync Battle, Hollywood Game Night, and the NAACP Image Awards, earning her multiple Guild of Music Supervisors Awards, including one in 2014 for reality television. In 2000, she founded SyncroniCity, representing artists such as Andrea Bocelli and Kenny Loggins, and served as vice president of the Guild. Colleagues and former Idol contestants, like Colton Dixon, hailed her as a “highlight” and a “foundation,” her positive spirit a constant amid creative challenges.

Thomas Deluca, Kaye’s husband, was a respected musician and songwriter whose work graced the catalogs of Kid Rock, Molly Hatchet, and Meredith Brooks. His 2022 album Street Rock marked his latest contribution to the industry. The couple, married for decades, purchased their Encino home in January 2023, a property once owned by the late rapper Juice WRLD. Neighbors described them as private yet warm, their presence a quiet fixture in the community. Their deaths have left a void in both the music world and their tight-knit circle, with American Idol issuing a statement calling Kaye “a cornerstone of the Idol family” and expressing deep sympathy.

A Missed Warning: The Security Concern

The tragedy’s poignancy deepens with reports that Kaye had voiced security concerns about her home approximately a month before the murder, around mid-June 2025. Neighbors recalled hearing her mention unease about the property’s safety, possibly linked to its history as a rental and its previous ownership by Juice WRLD, who died of an overdose in 2019. One neighbor told local media that Kaye had contacted a security firm, The Bodyguard Group of Beverly Hills, for a consultation just months prior, following an earlier home invasion. Despite the home’s fortified walls, eight-foot-high barriers with metal spikes, and a secured vehicle gate, she feared vulnerabilities.

On July 10, 2025, these fears materialized when a neighbor’s renter reported seeing someone hopping the fence, prompting a 911 call. Police responded, conducted a flyover with an airship, and found no signs of forced entry or immediate trouble, leaving without further action. This incident, four days before the welfare check, is now believed to be when Boodarian entered through an unlocked door. Critics, including neighbor Tim Pingel, have questioned the police’s initial response, arguing that a more thorough investigation might have prevented the tragedy. The overlooked concern highlights a gap between Kaye’s intuition and the actionable steps that could have saved her life.

The Investigation and Suspect

The LAPD’s investigation revealed a timeline linking the July 10 burglary report to the murders. Surveillance footage and evidence at the scene confirmed Boodarian’s alleged entry, with detectives believing he remained inside until Kaye and Deluca’s return triggered a violent encounter. The suspect fled on foot, later apprehended at his nearby residence without resistance. Authorities recovered a gun from Boodarian’s home, slated for ballistic testing to confirm its role in the crime. Despite the arrest, the motive remains elusive, with no apparent connection between Boodarian and the victims, and no evidence of a broader burglary ring.

Neighbors described Boodarian’s home as a site of frequent police visits, hinting at a troubled history, including loud arguments and possible mental health issues. A family spokesperson expressed regret, but details about his background are sparse. The investigation continues to explore whether the attack was random or influenced by undisclosed factors, with the community grappling with the randomness of the violence in a neighborhood previously shaken by a similar murder in February 2025.

Community and Industry Response

The news sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and Encino community. American Idol’s statement reflected the collective grief, while tributes from former contestants like Casey Abrams and Scott MacIntyre underscored Kaye’s impact. Neighbors, still processing the February killing of a woman by her ex-husband nearby, expressed pain and disbelief. Amee Faggen, whose renter made the initial 911 call, lamented the lack of follow-through, while Eric Partovich noted the futility of security against determined intruders.

Online sentiment, drawn from posts found on social platforms, mirrors this mix of sorrow and frustration, with many questioning how such a tragedy could occur in a fortified home. The incident has sparked discussions about neighborhood watch programs and the need for better police response to security alerts, especially for high-profile residents. The couple’s legacy, however, endures through their work, with calls for a memorial to honor Kaye’s contributions.

Broader Implications

This case raises critical questions about celebrity safety and community vigilance. Kaye’s wealth and status, reflected in her $5 million home, did not shield her from violence, suggesting that even fortified properties can be breached through human error—like an unlocked door. The police’s initial inaction on July 10, despite the armed suspect report, has fueled debate about resource allocation and response protocols in affluent areas. Security experts like Guy Cohen, who consulted with Kaye, expressed regret, hinting at missed opportunities to enhance protection.

The tragedy also underscores the vulnerability of public figures, whose private lives can attract unwanted attention. Kaye’s role in American Idol and Deluca’s music career placed them in the spotlight, yet their privacy was no defense against this random act. It prompts a reevaluation of how security concerns are addressed, particularly when voiced by those with resources to act but reliant on external support.

Looking Ahead

As of 2:17 PM on July 17, 2025, the investigation remains active, with charges pending against Boodarian. The LAPD plans to review its July 10 response, potentially leading to policy changes. For the American Idol family and the Encino community, the loss of Kaye and Deluca is a somber reminder of life’s fragility. Their story may inspire stronger security measures and greater attention to neighbors’ warnings, ensuring that future cries for help are not ignored.

The murder of Robin Kaye and Thomas Deluca is a heartbreaking loss, compounded by the knowledge that a month’s warning went unheeded. As the community mourns, their legacy in music and the lessons from this tragedy will resonate, urging a collective resolve to protect one another.