On the evening of July 14, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) conducted a welfare check at the Encino home of "American Idol" executive Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas DeLuca after a friend of the couple reported not hearing from them for days. Officers, having previously visited the home on July 10, broke into the residence through a window and found the couple shot to death. The timing of the investigation, which occurred nearly a week after the last police visit, raised questions about the circumstances leading to the tragic event.
The couple, who had attended a neighborhood safety meeting the night before their deaths, lived in a fortified home with high walls, fencing, and security measures designed to deter intruders. Despite these precautions, a suspect, identified as 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian, was believed to have scaled a fence and entered the home through an unlocked door. According to LAPD Lt. Guy Golan, police estimated the suspect spent about 30 minutes inside the house before the victims returned, resulting in a violent struggle that led to their deaths. Boodarian fled the scene on foot and was later arrested and charged with the murders of Kaye and DeLuca, along with first-degree burglary. The charges include special circumstances related to the murders, which could result in life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty.
Following the incident, the LAPD increased patrols in the Encino area, particularly during the early evening and nighttime hours. However, community members described a lingering sense of fear and vulnerability following the double homicide. Heather Michaels from the Encino Neighborhood Council expressed concerns over the lack of safety and the impact on elderly residents, stating, "This murder could have been avoided." The tragedy sparked discussions about neighborhood safety and police response to potential threats, as the case continues to draw public attention and legal scrutiny.