Residents of the affluent Encino neighborhood in Los Angeles are expressing frustration and fear over a recent surge in crime, urging Mayor Karen Bass to take decisive action. The situation has come to a head with the tragic double murder of American Idol music producer Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca, who were found dead in their home on July 14. The couple’s deaths, which occurred under suspicious circumstances, have sparked renewed concerns about safety in the area.
The incident is believed to have begun on July 10 when two calls were made to the police reporting a potential burglary at the couple’s Encino home. The suspect, 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian, was arrested on double homicide charges. Officials have stated that the killings were random, though neighbors have raised questions about the suspect’s history. Neighbors reported that Boodarian had mental health issues and had previously been known for stalking individuals in the area. One resident described how Boodarian had been using Ring cameras to monitor the neighborhood, flashing knives at the cameras, and attempting to contact one of their sons via Instagram.
Encino Property Owners Association president Rob Glushon, a neighbor of Kaye and Deluca, has been a vocal critic of the city’s response to the recent spike in crime. Glushon expressed his concerns that the double murder is just one of many incidents in the area, which he claims have been growing in frequency. He noted that several other burglaries and home invasions have been reported, contributing to a sense of unease among residents. Glushon was part of a group of Encino residents who gathered outside Van Nuys City Hall on July 31 to present their demands for increased police presence in the neighborhood.
In the aftermath of the double murder, additional incidents have been reported in Encino, including the break-in at the home of ‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ star Teddi Mellencamp. The neighborhood is now facing heightened anxiety as residents fear that they are being targeted. One local resident told FOX 11,