A suspect has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband, songwriter Thomas Deluca, Los Angeles police confirmed on Tuesday. Despite the arrest, authorities say several critical questions remain about the couple’s tragic deaths.
Kaye and Deluca, both 70, were discovered shot to death in their Encino home during a welfare check on Monday. The LAPD said the check was initiated by a concerned friend who had not heard from the couple.
The suspect, 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian, was taken into custody at his residence on Tuesday. According to LAPD Lt. Guy Golan, Boodarian allegedly jumped the fence of the couple’s property and was inside their home when they returned. A violent struggle ensued, during which Boodarian is believed to have fatally shot both victims.
Investigators believe the murders took place on July 10, the same day police received two separate calls reporting a possible burglary at the home. Witnesses had seen someone climbing over the property’s fence. However, responding officers were unable to access the heavily fortified home, which is surrounded by eight-foot walls topped with spikes. A police helicopter flyover reportedly revealed no immediate signs of trouble, and officers left without making contact.
Subsequent review of surveillance footage showed the suspect scaling the fence and entering through what appeared to be an unlocked door. Approximately 30 minutes later, the couple returned home.
Lt. Golan said that on Monday, when officers arrived for the welfare check, they noticed blood on the porch. They then broke a window to enter and found both Kaye and Deluca dead from multiple gunshot wounds, including shots to the head.
The motive behind the killings remains unclear. Lt. Golan said there was no evidence of forced entry or a ransacked home, and Boodarian is not believed to have known the victims. He also is not considered a suspect in any other recent burglaries, according to LAPD sources.
“There’s no surveillance inside the home, so we don’t know exactly what happened after the victims entered,” Golan said, adding that investigators are still exploring all possible motives.
The department has announced it will review how the initial burglary calls on July 10 were handled to determine whether proper protocol was followed.
Robin Kaye had been part of American Idol since 2009 and was a beloved member of the production team. In a statement, a spokesperson for the show expressed deep sorrow over her death.
“We are devastated to hear of Robin and her dear husband Tom’s passing,” the statement read. “Robin has been a cornerstone of the Idol family since 2009 and was truly loved and respected by all who came in contact with her. Robin will remain in our hearts forever, and we extend our deepest sympathy to her family and friends during this difficult time.”
