Los Angeles, CA – Raymond Boodarian, 22, the primary suspect in the July 10 shooting deaths of Robin Kaye, a longtime American Idol music supervisor, and her husband Thomas Deluca, a rock guitarist, appeared in court on Wednesday, August 20. Boodarian, wearing a suicide gown and sporting a black mustache, was referred to mental health court for evaluation after appearing dazed and unresponsive during his brief 13-minute arraignment.
At the Van Nuys courtroom, Judge Martin L. Herscovitz attempted to engage with Boodarian, asking multiple times if he could hear him. Despite the judge’s efforts, Boodarian did not respond. His public defender, Nancy Kolocotronis, informed the court that Boodarian is allegedly suicidal and has severe mental health issues, though the specifics of his condition have not been confirmed.
The judge suspended the arraignment and ordered Boodarian to appear in mental health court on September 3 in Hollywood, as he is still being held without bail. Any murder charges will await his mental health evaluation to determine if he is mentally fit to stand trial.
The Fatal Shooting and Investigation
On the afternoon of July 10, Kaye and Deluca, both 70, returned home to their $4.5 million Encino property after a trip to the store. According to a police affidavit obtained by Rolling Stone, the couple’s home had been breached—police later revealed the front door had been left unlocked and the alarm system disabled. Inside, Boodarian was allegedly waiting for them.
The couple was shot execution-style in separate rooms, using a gun that police believe belonged to them. Boodarian reportedly only stole their gun and left the rest of their valuables untouched. Despite two 911 calls and multiple police visits on the day of the murders, the couple’s bodies were not discovered until July 14 during a welfare check requested by a friend of Kaye’s.
The disturbing details of the murder were made clear during a town hall meeting in Encino on July 21, where Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman expressed frustration over the crime, stating that the couple had been denied the basic promise of safety. He vowed to prosecute Boodarian to the fullest extent of the law.
Community Reaction
Neighbors, who have witnessed an uptick in crime recently, demanded answers at the town hall. Councilmembers, including Betty Guardado, Anna Hernandez, and Laura Pastor, expressed their outrage and sorrow, emphasizing the need for enhanced safety measures in schools and communities.
Boodarian’s actions have shocked the community, with many questioning how he was able to enter the home undetected. The 911 call made by Boodarian, during which he pleaded, “Please don’t shoot me,” has raised concerns, as police did not immediately enter the property, which was secured by a gated perimeter.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Boodarian faces two counts of murder and one count of residential burglary. If convicted, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty. The investigation into the mental state of Boodarian at the time of the crime continues, with many family members of Kaye and Deluca seeking clarity on his mental health during the murders.
He remains in custody at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward.
