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A 22-year-old man has been charged with murder and burglary in the deaths of an “American Idol” music supervisor and her husband at their Los Angeles home.
Raymond Boodarian allegedly scaled a fence onto the couple’s Encino property and shot them during a struggle after they returned from grocery shopping. District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the killings as senseless, shaking the community and shattering the idea of home as a safe haven.
Boodarian faces two counts of murder and one count of residential burglary, with special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder during a burglary. He appeared in court Thursday and is being held without bail, with his next hearing scheduled for August 20.
The victims, Robin Kaye, 70, and her husband, Thomas Deluca, 70, were found dead in their home on Monday during a welfare check. Authorities believe they were killed four days earlier, on July 10, the same day police received calls about a possible burglary at the address.
Responding officers were initially unable to enter the heavily fortified home, featuring 8-foot spiked walls. An aerial search by helicopter revealed no signs of trouble.
Surveillance footage later showed the suspect scaling the fence and apparently entering through an unlocked door approximately 30 minutes before the victims arrived home. Police discovered the victims with multiple gunshot wounds, including head wounds. A gun found at Boodarian’s residence is being tested to determine if it is the murder weapon.
Police are investigating the motive and the events inside the house, as there is no interior camera footage. They do not believe Boodarian knew the victims, and the house did not appear ransacked.
The LAPD is reviewing its response to the initial burglary call to ensure proper handling.
Kaye had worked with “American Idol” since 2009. If convicted, Boodarian faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole, or death.