Robin Kaye, a long-time music producer for “American Idol,” and her husband, musician Tom DeLuca, faced a tragic end in their own home. The couple returned to their Encino residence, only to find a burglar inside, leading to a violent confrontation.
Once police were alerted, they arrived but did not find anything amiss. Two days later, Kaye and DeLuca were discovered dead inside their home. A suspect, 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian, was arrested shortly after.
The situation raises serious concerns about home security and police response. Despite a drop in overall crime in Los Angeles—homicides fell over 20% in the first half of this year—residents in areas like the San Fernando Valley are anxious. It mirrors past incidents where police failed to act on distress calls, leading to grim outcomes.
In similar cases, such as those of Menashe Hidra and Aleksandre Modebadze, emergency responders did not locate victims despite receiving calls reporting suspicious activity. In all situations, police faced questions about their protocols and response effectiveness. Officers will review procedures following Kaye and DeLuca’s deaths.
The LAPD noted that Boodarian entered through an unlocked door and allegedly locked it behind him when he left. Police confirmed he was inside the home for around half an hour before the couple returned.
As for Kaye’s legacy, she was a fixture in the music industry, credited with productions for near 300 episodes of “American Idol,” among other shows. DeLuca was known for his 1986 album “Down to the Wire,” with his most recent work released in 2022.
While authorities work to connect Boodarian to the couple, questions linger about why police did not find them sooner. The community remains on edge as they seek answers and safety.
For more on crime trends in Los Angeles, you can review recent reports from sources like the Los Angeles Times or the LAPD.