Robin Kaye, the beloved American Idol executive, and her husband Thomas Deluca, both aged 70, have become the tragic victims of a chilling double homicide that has sent shockwaves through their affluent Encino neighborhood in Los Angeles. As details unfold, what makes this brutal crime even more harrowing is the disturbing pattern of the suspect's presence in the area in the weeks leading up to the murders, a fact that residents now look back on with horror and disbelief.
The man arrested, 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian, had not just stumbled upon their home by accident. Instead, he had been a haunting presence around the neighborhood, repeatedly seen lurking near the couple's property over a span of two weeks. His final and fatal encounter was merely the conclusion of a series of ominous sightings that were captured on various security cameras and even by alert passersby.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers responded to a wellness check at the couple's home on the 4700 block of White Oak Avenue early Monday morning, only to find both Kaye and Deluca shot multiple times in separate rooms. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
The discovery was grim, but what emerged during the investigation painted a chilling picture of a premeditated intrusion by a man who had meticulously scoped the area before making his move.
Surveillance footage and community reports suggest that Boodarian had been surveilling the neighborhood for days, if not weeks. A particularly alarming incident occurred just one night before the murders when a passerby spotted Boodarian loitering suspiciously near Kaye and Deluca's home.
Confronted, he fled the scene under the cover of darkness. This footage, now in police possession, shows a visibly startled Boodarian running after realizing he was being recorded. Yet, despite this clear red flag, the looming threat went unaddressed until it was too late.
Earlier on July 10, police had been called to the same residence following reports of a possible burglary. However, they were unable to gain entry due to the home's heavy fortifications. LAPD Lieutenant Guy Golan stated that although they conducted aerial surveillance and found no immediate signs of distress or forced entry, the situation was far from resolved. What authorities later uncovered was that Boodarian had indeed breached the perimeter by hopping a fence and likely gained access through an unlocked door.
Once inside, Boodarian lay in wait until the couple returned home. What ensued was a deadly confrontation that ended with both Kaye and Deluca shot multiple times. The suspect then fled on foot, leaving behind a scene of devastation that has left their community reeling. The randomness of the act has been a point of discussion among investigators, but the repeated presence of Boodarian in the area raises uncomfortable questions about his true intentions and whether more could have been done to prevent the tragedy.
Forensic analysis, combined with facial recognition technology applied to the security footage, ultimately led to Boodarian's arrest on Tuesday. Members of the LAPD and the FBI Fugitive Task Force apprehended him at his residence, where he was booked on suspicion of murder. He remains jailed without bail.
Statements from friends, family, and colleagues have since poured in, especially from the American Idol family. Kaye, who served as a music supervisor for the hit singing competition since 2009, was cherished not only for her professional acumen but also for her warmth and generosity. An official statement from the show lamented her passing, emphasizing how deeply she was loved and respected by everyone she worked with.
Adding to the community's concern is the apparent spike in burglary-related calls within the West Valley police district where the murders took place. CBS News analysis of LAPD service calls revealed that in July alone, police responded to suspected burglary incidents in the district four times, including three consecutive days on July 9, 10, and 11.
This is a stark contrast to the first five months of the year, during which only four such calls were recorded. Whether Boodarian was responsible for all these incidents remains under investigation.
Furthermore, Guy Cohen, the owner of SecureIT Homes, disclosed that the couple had contacted his security company back in May after experiencing a separate break-in. This suggests that Kaye and Deluca may have already been feeling vulnerable, potentially making their home a target for someone like Boodarian, who may have perceived weaknesses despite the home's physical fortifications.
Residents are grappling with the reality that a seemingly random crime might have been a calculated act, with the suspect's persistent presence indicating more premeditation than initially believed. LAPD continues to insist that the attack was random, yet the documented sightings of Boodarian repeatedly in the vicinity, coupled with his behavior on the night before the murders, suggest a deeper, more sinister narrative.
Police are now reviewing more surveillance footage and canvassing the neighborhood to establish a comprehensive timeline of Boodarian's movements leading up to the attack. They are urging anyone with additional information or footage to come forward, in hopes of piecing together the full extent of his actions and whether he had targeted other homes in the area.
Jim Zourek, a seasoned LAPD veteran and current Operations Director at Protector, explained the standard police protocol when dealing with suspected burglary calls. He emphasized that without objective evidence of a crime or visible signs of forced entry, officers are constrained in their ability to intervene. This policy, while necessary to protect property rights, has now become a point of contention given the outcome in this case.
The community's sense of safety has been deeply shaken. Encino, known for its serene suburban atmosphere and affluent homes, now bears the scars of a tragedy that many feel could have been prevented if warning signs had been taken more seriously.
Meanwhile, as the legal process begins, Boodarian faces charges that could see him spending the rest of his life behind bars. His motive remains unclear, and whether the murders were the culmination of a broader pattern of criminal behavior is a question that investigators are determined to answer.
For now, the neighborhood mourns the loss of two cherished members, while grappling with the uncomfortable truth that a predator had been walking among them, unnoticed until it was too late. The chilling reminder is clear: vigilance is crucial, even in the most peaceful of communities.
