Robin Kaye, Illinois Native and ‘American Idol’ Music Supervisor, Tragically Killed in Encino Shooting

Robin Kaye, Illinois Native and ‘American Idol’ Music Supervisor, Tragically Killed in Encino Shooting

The entertainment industry is reeling after the tragic deaths of Robin Kaye, a longtime music supervisor for American Idol, and her husband, musician Thomas Deluca, who were found dead inside their Encino home.

Authorities say the couple was killed during a July 10 burglary, which has since been classified as a double homicide. Investigators allege 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian entered the residence through an unlocked door. Neighbors had reported a suspicious man jumping the fence earlier that day, prompting police to respond. However, officers did not enter the home, citing no signs of forced entry.

When Kaye and Deluca returned home, they confronted the intruder. According to investigators, Boodarian allegedly opened fire. Deluca died instantly from multiple gunshot wounds, while Kaye succumbed to her injuries minutes later.

Despite neighborhood reports, the bodies were not discovered until July 14, when concerned relatives requested a welfare check. Police forcibly entered the residence and found the couple deceased. The delay has sparked debate over response protocols when residents report suspicious activity.

Boodarian was arrested on July 15 and charged with two counts of murder and one count of first-degree residential burglary, with special circumstances of multiple murders during a burglary — charges that could carry the state’s harshest penalties.

Kaye, originally from Illinois, had been with American Idol since 2009, shaping the music of countless contestants. Deluca was an accomplished musician and songwriter in his own right. Their deaths mark not just the loss of two lives, but two creative forces whose contributions deeply touched the entertainment world.