'American Idol' music supervisor, husband both found dead in California home, LAPD says
LOS ANGELES — Longtime "American Idol" music supervisor Robin Kaye and her musician husband Tom Deluca were both found dead at their Southern California home, authorities said.
At around 2:30 p.m. on July 14, officers conducted a welfare check at a home in Encino, California, following a report from a person who "had not heard from the resident for several days," the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement. Officers later entered the residence and discovered two bodies, later identified as Kaye, 70, and Deluca, 70.
Police officers 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 a suspect gained entry into the residence that day through an unlocked door and that the couple returned home while the suspect was still there.
"A confrontation ensued, which resulted in the suspect taking their lives," the LAPD added. "The victims succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds, and the suspect fled from the residence on foot."
A suspect, identified as Raymond Boodarian, 22, of Encino, was arrested in connection with the case. Investigators are determining whether Boodarian has any connection to the couple and if Boodarian was involved in past service calls to the Encino home.
The investigation is ongoing, Los Angeles police added. Paste BN has reached out to Los Angeles County public defenders who have previously represented Boodarian for comment.
TMZ was first to report the couple's death.
'A cornerstone of the Idol family since 2009'
An "American Idol" spokesperson confirmed the deaths of Kaye and Deluca to Paste BN 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.
Kaye has received several accolades, including the Guild of Music Supervisors' best music supervision in reality television award in 2014.