American Idol season 24 began with a heartfelt tribute to late music supervisor Robin Kaye after she and her husband were killed in a double homicide last 12 months.
“Season 24 of American Idol: Dedicated to Robin Kaye,” a tribute card read at the highest of the premiere episode, which aired on ABC Monday, January 26. “We’ll prevent a seat.’”
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed in July 2025 that Kaye and husband Tom Deluca were found dead of their Encino home from possible gunshot wounds after authorities received a request for a welfare check.
“While there have been no signs of forced entry or trouble at the placement during that investigation, it’s now believed that the suspect had gained entry into the residence through an unlocked door,” an LAPD press release stated on the time. “The victims returned home while the suspect was inside their residence, and a confrontation ensued, which resulted within the suspect taking their lives. The victims succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds, and the suspect fled from the residence on foot.”
A death certificate obtained by People the next month confirmed the couple died on July 10 from multiple gunshot wounds, 4 days before their bodies were found. Their death was listed as a homicide. They were each 70 years old on the time.
Raymond Boodarian was arrested on July 16 and charged with two counts of murder and one count of residential burglary. Per a CBS News report on the time, Booardian shot Kaye and Deluca with their very own gun before calling the police on himself, using his cellphone and providing his name. The LAPD concluded that the killings seemed to be random and that DeLuca and Kaye weren’t specifically targeted.
Last month, ABC7 reported that Boodarian was declared mentally incompetent to face trial and ordered to be committed to a state hospital. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Maria Cavalluzzi noted through the hearing that Boodarian refused to seem on the Hollywood courthouse and has not been communicating along with his attorney. An order to involuntarily medicate Boodarian stays in place.
Weeks after their death, People reported that Kaye had expressed concerns about neighborhood break-ins during a town council meeting. Per the outlet, the couple also attended a Community Police Advisory Board meeting in the future before their deaths, where LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell reportedly addressed the surge of break-ins and crime around the world of where Kaye and Deluca lived.
Kaye worked as a music supervisor on American Idol from 2008 until her death and was answerable for securing licensing for songs performed by the contestants for greater than 300 episodes.
American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and husband Thomas Deluca’s causes of death have been revealed. People broke the news on Monday, August 25, that Kaye and Deluca, each 70, died from multiple gunshot wounds, in line with death certificates obtained by the publication. They died on July 10 at around 4:45 p.m., the documents revealed. […]
“We’re devastated to listen to of Robin and her dear husband Tom’s passing. Robin has been a cornerstone of the Idol family since 2009 and was truly loved and revered by all who got here involved together with her,” American Idol said in a press release released shortly after Kaye’s death. “Robin will rKaye worked as a music supervisor on American Idol from 2008 until the time of her death, securing licensing for songs performed by the contestants on the long-running series for greater than 300 episodes. remain in our hearts eternally and we share our deepest sympathy together with her family and friends during this difficult time.”
American Idol season 24 airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET and streams on Hulu the subsequent day.