Man accused in Encino killings of “American Idol” music supervisor found incompetent to stand trial
Raymond Boodarian, 22, has been found mentally incompetent to stand trial in the July 10, 2025, double homicide of “American Idol” music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca, in their Encino home, court records show.
- Victims: Robin Kaye, longtime music supervisor for “American Idol”, and her husband Thomas Deluca.
- Allegations & arrest: Prosecutors say Boodarian burglarized the home and shot the couple; he was arrested the next day and is held without bail. (6ABC, ABC7 NY)
- Mental health ruling: Courts found him incompetent, halting criminal proceedings and ordering him to report to mental health court on Sept. 3, 2025. (ABC7 NY, KCAL)
What prosecutors say happened
According to police and local reporting, investigators allege that Raymond Boodarian entered the Encino home and shot Robin Kaye and Thomas Deluca when the couple returned and interrupted an alleged burglary. Neighbors reported hearing a commotion and later learned the victims had been shot multiple times.
Investigators say Boodarian called police after the shootings and gave his name, which led to his arrest the following day. The LAPD is treating the incident as a double homicide. (Sources: 6ABC, NBCLA)
Arrest, charges and possible penalties
Boodarian was taken into custody without incident and faces:
- Two counts of murder
- One count of residential burglary
- Special allegations for firearm use
Prosecutors say the special allegations could expose him to life in prison without parole or, in theory, the death penalty under California law. He remains jailed without bail as proceedings move into competency and mental health venues. (Sources: KCAL, ABC7 NY)
Prior incidents and mental health history
Court records and reporting document a pattern of legal trouble tied to mental-health concerns. In November 2023, Boodarian was charged with brandishing a knife and making criminal threats against his stepfather. In 2024 he faced multiple battery charges involving family members; those misdemeanor cases were dismissed late in 2024 after courts found him mentally incompetent.
The Los Angeles city attorney’s office reportedly objected to those dismissals. (Source: ABC7 NY, KCAL)
Legal experts and defense perspective
Defense attorneys and mental-health experts emphasize California’s specialized pathways for defendants found incompetent, such as mental health court and conservatorship. Criminal defense attorney Lou Shapiro told reporters that while most defendants benefit from those processes, failures in systems of care can lead to tragedy.
“The separate court process for people with serious mental illness often helps most defendants, but rare cases can end in tragedy when warning signs are missed,” — defense perspective reported by local outlets.
Because a competency finding typically halts criminal trials, the focus now shifts to evaluations, treatment planning and potential court-ordered commitment if restoration to competency is not achieved. (Source: KCAL)
Community response and law enforcement action
Encino residents expressed shock and fear following the killings. Neighbors said they had seen Boodarian around and had observed signs of mental-health struggle and family conflict; some reported attempting to help him in the past. The LAPD increased patrols in the area as investigators continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses.
Local leaders and residents have pushed for answers about what interventions occurred after prior encounters with Boodarian and whether the system could have averted the violence. (Sources: 6ABC, NBCLA)
How the mental incompetence finding changes the case
A court determination of incompetence means the defendant cannot meaningfully participate in legal proceedings or assist counsel due to mental disorder or defect. That finding pauses criminal proceedings until restoration to competency via treatment is possible.
In Boodarian’s case, the court’s decision follows prior competency rulings that led to dismissals of misdemeanor cases. Instead of immediate arraignment, a court ordered him to report to mental health court on Sept. 3, 2025, shifting the pathway toward treatment and evaluation. (Sources: ABC7 NY, KCAL)
Victims and the entertainment community
Robin Kaye worked for years as a music supervisor on “American Idol.” Her death, alongside her husband’s, reverberated across the music and entertainment communities. Colleagues remembered her long career and connections; the high-profile nature of her work has drawn national attention to the case and renewed discussion about mental health and violent crime in the city. (Sources: 6ABC, NBCLA)
Implications for Los Angeles
Economic impact
Immediate economic effects are largely limited to services for the victims’ families and investigative costs. However, the case may increase pressure for expanded mental-health funding, crisis-response teams and supportive housing — measures that carry long-term budget implications for the city and county.
Political consequences
The case arrives amid debates about public safety and mental-health policy in Los Angeles. Officials may face scrutiny about prior responses to Boodarian, and the case could feature in local races focused on policing, budgets and mental-health programs.
Social effects
Residents report heightened fear and a sense of lost safety. The killings raise urgent local questions about early intervention, balancing civil liberties with involuntary treatment, and how to strengthen neighborly and municipal responses to severe mental illness.
Cultural relevance
Because one victim was a notable entertainment professional, the story underscores how violence touches all segments of Los Angeles and ties into broader conversations about the city’s pressures, mental illness, and the intersection of fame and everyday life.
Practical applications for residents
- Safety: LAPD increased patrols in Encino; residents should remain vigilant and report suspicious activity. (Source: NBCLA)
- Mental-health resources: Early intervention matters — contact Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and 988 crisis resources when immediate help is needed.
- Advocacy: Residents can press elected officials to fund mobile crisis teams, diversion programs and supportive housing.
- Legal awareness: Competency rulings illustrate how the justice system handles defendants with serious mental illness; advocates can demand transparency on competency determinations.
Sources and reporting
This article draws on local reporting from 6ABC, ABC7 NY, KCAL / CBS Los Angeles, and NBC Los Angeles. Relevant homepages are linked for reference.
What happens next: Further court proceedings will determine whether Boodarian can be restored to competency and how the justice system balances treatment and public safety in this closely watched case.
