Suspect in Execution-Style Murders of ‘American Idol’ Executive and Husband Had History of Violence and Mental Health Issues

Suspect in Execution-Style Murders of ‘American Idol’ Executive and Husband Had History of Violence and Mental Health Issues
The man accused of killing American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas DeLuca, in their Encino, California, home last week had a history of alarming behavior, multiple arrests, and signs of mental instability, according to court and police records, as well as interviews with neighbors.

Raymond Boodarian, 22, was arrested on Tuesday, July 9, and charged with two counts of murder following a violent home invasion that left Kaye, 69, and DeLuca, 70, dead from multiple gunshot wounds to the head. The couple was found in their $4.5 million gated mansion in Encino, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles.

Boodarian, who lived about 13 minutes away from the victims’ home, had long raised red flags in his own community. According to multiple neighbors, he frequently exhibited disturbing behavior, including wandering the streets high on drugs, staring into homes, and bringing known drug users into the area.

“He would just sit in front of houses smiling and staring. It was unsettling,” one neighbor told The New York Post. “No one was shocked when we heard he’d been arrested.”

Records show that Boodarian had been arrested multiple times between October 2023 and June 2024 on charges including brandishing a deadly weapon, battery, and criminal threats with intent to terrorize, according to Los Angeles Times and state inmate records. However, the charges were dismissed after he was found mentally incompetent to stand trial.

Despite these concerns, Boodarian was released several times, including after a six-month stint in custody that ended earlier this year.

Authorities believe that on Thursday, July 4, 2025, Boodarian broke into Kaye and DeLuca’s residence, which was protected by fencing, gates, and surveillance systems. A neighbor spotted a man jumping the couple’s fence around 4:00 p.m. and called police. Officers arrived and conducted an aerial search with a helicopter but found no immediate signs of a break-in. Tragically, investigators now say that by the time police arrived, Kaye and DeLuca were already dead inside the home.

Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Guy Golan confirmed that Boodarian remained inside the residence for roughly 30 minutes before the couple arrived home. “A violent struggle ensued between the victims and the suspect, who was already inside. The homeowners were ruthlessly shot multiple times,” Golan said.

Fingerprints from Boodarian’s prior arrests and surveillance footage tied him to the crime scene, according to TMZ, which also published images of Boodarian being arrested shirtless outside his home, surrounded by officers in tactical gear.

Robin Kaye was a highly respected music supervisor who worked on American Idol for at least 15 seasons, helping to shape the sound and success of the long-running reality competition. She also worked on productions including Lip Sync Battle, Miss USA, and Miss Universe.

Thomas DeLuca, her husband, was a musician who, like Kaye, was deeply embedded in the entertainment industry. The couple was well-known and beloved in their professional and personal circles.

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