A Los Angeles man now facing two counts of murder in the fatal shooting of former American Idol executive Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca, had previously been arrested multiple times for violent behavior but spent just six months in custody before all charges were dismissed under California’s mental health diversion laws.
As The New York Post reported, Raymond Boodarian, 22, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the July 18 slayings of Kaye and Deluca inside their $4.5 million home in Encino.
Authorities say Boodarian broke into the residence and shot the 70-year-old couple after they returned from grocery shopping. He was arrested without incident at his home, which is located just 15 minutes from the victims’ property.
Robin Kaye, an award-winning music supervisor for American Idol, and her husband Thomas Deluca killed in Los Angeles.
Raymond Boodarian, 22, arrested.
Armenian surname. LA County now censors all mugshots and listed the suspect’s race as “other.” pic.twitter.com/CxMvvlAQpi
— National Conservative (@NatCon2022) July 17, 2025
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Police say Boodarian was identified through fingerprints taken during earlier arrests and confirmed through security camera footage from the residence.
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Court records and local reports show that Boodarian had been arrested on multiple occasions over the past two years. In February 2023, he was taken into custody for misdemeanor battery and threats against his mother and sister.
In November 2023, he allegedly pulled a knife on his stepfather. He was arrested again in June 2024. While details of that arrest remain unclear, Boodarian reportedly spent six months in jail before being declared mentally incompetent.
He was then placed on a conservatorship and released in December after all charges were dropped.
Legal experts suggest Boodarian may have qualified for California’s Mental Health Diversion program, which allows individuals with documented mental illness to avoid prosecution by completing a treatment program.
While those charged with murder or sex offenses are not eligible, nearly all other criminal charges—including attempted murder and assault on law enforcement—can be diverted under current state law.
“There’s no probation because there’s no conviction. The charges are dismissed,” said Kenneth Rosenfeld of the Rosenfeld Law Firm.
“Why would somebody like this… be able to get out on the streets and potentially commit an offense like this? It’s because the charges that he was facing were not charges that made him ineligible under California law for mental health diversion.”
Neighbors said Boodarian exhibited erratic and disturbing behavior and was often seen high or acting strangely. One neighbor told The New York Post that families in the area were scared of him. “He would sit in front of my friend’s house just staring and smiling,” the resident said.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman confirmed that Boodarian is now charged with two counts of murder and first-degree residential burglary. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
Raymond Boodarian charged in the shooting of ‘American Idol’ exec and her husband
Los Angeles prosecutors charged 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian with two counts of murder in the shooting deaths of ‘American Idol’ exec Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas Deluca. Investigators… pic.twitter.com/WG8mRnAp6T
— Blue Owl (@BlueOwlHoots) July 18, 2025
“In a matter of moments, this couple was senselessly killed in their own home as they returned from the grocery store,” Hochman said. “This tragic shooting has shaken a valley community and the notion that home should be our safe sanctuary.”
Though Boodarian is no longer eligible for mental health diversion due to the severity of the charges, legal experts say he could still plead not guilty by reason of insanity. If convicted, he could spend life in prison or be committed to a psychiatric institution indefinitely.
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