Suspect faces felony charges in killings of 'American Idol' music supervisor, husband

USA Today

17-07-2025

LOS ANGELES — The suspect in the killings of longtime "American Idol" music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband Tom Deluca is making his first court appearance.
Raymond Boodarian, 22, was due to appear for an arraignment and plea at Los Angeles County's Van Nuys West Courthouse on Thursday, July 17. Prosecutors appear to be pursuing two felony murder counts and first-degree burglary that involved another person's presence in the residence and intentional discharge of a firearm, according to court records reviewed by USA TODAY.
The murder counts reference statutes that specify the acts involved more than one murder victim as well as intentionally discharging a firearm, resulting in "great bodily injury," and were also allegedly committed while engaged in an act of robbery.
USA TODAY has reached out to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for comment.
According to Los Angeles Sheriff's Department inmate records, Boodarian is being held at a jail in Van Nuys, California, in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley. The Encino resident was arrested around 3 p.m. July 15, a day after Los Angeles Police Department Officers discovered 70-year-old Deluca and Kaye dead in their Encino, California, home while conducting a welfare check.
USA TODAY has reached out to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for more information.
Investigation into Robin Kaye, Tom Deluca's deaths is ongoing
At around 2:30 p.m. on July 14, officers conducted a welfare check at the couple's house following a report from a person who "had not heard from the resident for several days," the Los Angeles Police Department said in a July 15 statement. Officers later entered the residence and discovered two bodies, later identified as Kaye, 70, and Deluca, 70.
Police were called days earlier, on July 10, for a "possible burglary suspect at the residence." But signs of forced entry or trouble were not found, the LAPD said. Investigators now believe that the suspect gained entry into the residence that day through an unlocked door and that the couple returned home while the suspect was still there.
Court records show the date of Boodarian's alleged offenses as July 10.
"A confrontation ensued, which resulted in the suspect taking their lives," the LAPD said. "The victims succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds, and the suspect fled from the residence on foot."
Investigators are determining whether Boodarian has any connection to the couple and if he was involved in past service calls to the Encino home. The investigation is ongoing.
The suspect has previously faced misdemeanor charges in LA County for alleged offenses dating from November 2023 to June 2024. The charges, which included battery, exhibiting a deadly weapon and threatening to commit a crime with intent to terrorize in three cases, were all dismissed.
Court records show competency hearings were held in July and August 2024, and he was released from custody Dec. 6, the same day a mental health conservatorship investigation report was presented.
USA TODAY has reached out to Los Angeles County public defenders who represented Boodarian in these cases for comment.
'A cornerstone of the Idol family since 2009'
An "American Idol" spokesperson confirmed the deaths of Kaye and Deluca to USA TODAY on July 15.
"We are devastated to hear of Robin and her dear husband, Tom's, passing," the spokesperson said in a statement. "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 share our deepest sympathy with her family and friends during this difficult time."
Kaye began her 16-year stint as "Idol's" music supervisor in Season 8, which crowned Kris Allen as the winner in 2009. She worked in the role, which entails clearing music for use on the competition show, through the most recent Season 23, which crowned Jamal Roberts as the winner on May 18.
She is also credited as the music supervisor for the NAACP Image Awards and several Miss Universe pageants, most recently in 2023.
Kaye has received several accolades, including the Guild of Music Supervisors' best music supervision in reality television award in 2014.