Murder in the Hills: "American Idol"Executive and Husband Gunned Down in Home Invasion

Encino, California A quiet stretch of upscale suburbia nestled in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley was turned upside down earlier this month when authorities responded to a chilling 911 call. The man on the line wasn’t just reporting a crime he was allegedly confessing to one. Within hours, two bodies were discovered in a home belonging to television executive Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca. Both were dead from gunshot wounds, and according to prosecutors, the suspect used the couple’s own firearm to execute the killings.

A Home Invasion Turned Deadly

Robin Kaye, known in the entertainment industry for her behind-the-scenes work on American Idol and other television productions, had recently semi-retired with her husband to their hillside home in Encino. Friends described them as warm, generous, and deeply in love a couple who preferred the quiet comforts of domestic life to the hustle and glitz of Hollywood.

But on July 10, 2025, their peaceful life was shattered.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian forced entry into the home. Boodarian, believed to be suffering from addiction and potentially in mental crisis, allegedly came across the couple while they were inside. At some point during the home invasion, investigators believe Boodarian found a loaded firearm belonging to the household and used it to fatally shoot both Robin and Thomas.

The motive remains murky. There was no clear attempt at theft, and early reports suggest the suspect may have had no prior connection to the victims.

The Killer Called 911

In a chilling twist, authorities say Boodarian himself placed the 911 call. During the call, he reportedly confessed to the shootings and waited at the scene until LAPD officers arrived. Bodycam footage has not yet been released, but officials confirm that Boodarian was taken into custody without incident.

He is now facing two counts of first-degree murder, among other charges, and is being held without bail.

The case is expected to move swiftly through the courts given the apparent confession and overwhelming evidence, including forensic analysis, surveillance footage from the area, and eyewitness accounts from neighbors who heard the shots and saw a disoriented man on the front lawn moments before police arrived.

A Community in Mourning

The Encino neighborhood is no stranger to celebrity the area has long served as a haven for actors, executives, and sports stars who crave privacy away from Los Angeles proper. But this particular crime has rattled the community deeply.

"Robin was a lovely person. Always so encouraging, always so full of life,” one former colleague told Vocal Media. “She brought a spark to every set she worked on. It's just devastating to think her life ended this way."

Friends of Thomas Deluca echoed similar sentiments, describing him as “a gentleman” who supported his wife’s career while managing his own ventures in real estate and small business.

A vigil was held outside the couple’s home three days after the tragedy. Dozens of candles, photographs, and floral tributes lined the sidewalk. Neighbors and industry friends gathered in silent solidarity, struggling to make sense of the senseless.

Mental Health and Gun Safety in the Spotlight

While the investigation continues, the case has already reignited conversations around mental health, drug addiction, and firearm storage.

"This is not just a break-in gone wrong," said Dr. Karen Atwell, a forensic psychologist familiar with similar cases. "If reports are accurate, this may involve a person in deep psychological distress, who was able to gain access to a loaded weapon during a moment of crisis."

According to LAPD sources, the firearm used in the killings was legally owned by the couple and stored in their bedroom, possibly in an unlocked drawer or cabinet. Legal experts say that while no laws appear to have been broken regarding gun storage, the case underscores the potential dangers of unsecured firearms.

“This case could become a flashpoint in California’s push for stricter home firearm safety regulations,” said one legal analyst.

What’s Next

As of July 23, Raymond Boodarian is awaiting arraignment. His public defender has not yet issued a statement, and no plea has been entered. Prosecutors indicate they will pursue the maximum penalty.

The court will now determine Boodarian's mental fitness to stand trial, which could become a central issue given his behavior before and after the murders. A psychological evaluation has been ordered.

Remembering Robin and Thomas

As the legal process unfolds, friends and family are choosing to focus on the lives the couple lived, not the way they died.

"They were truly partners in every way," said a longtime friend. "They believed in each other, supported each other, and lived with kindness. That’s how they should be remembered."

In Hollywood and beyond, the murder of Robin Kaye and Thomas Deluca is being felt not just as a personal loss, but as a grim reminder of how easily lives can be stolen in a moment of chaos even behind closed doors in the safest of neighborhoods.