In a quiet Los Angeles neighborhood, where multimillion-dollar mansions sit hidden behind tall hedges, an eerie sense of unease took over.
On Monday afternoon, police responded to what was supposed to be a routine welfare check—neighbors had grown concerned after not seeing a well-known couple who had recently moved in.
It started with blood at the front entrance. The doors were locked, forcing officers to break a window to enter.
What they found inside shocked even the most experienced detectives: two lifeless bodies—a man and a woman—both fatally shot in the head.
The victims were Robin Kaye, a longtime music supervisor for American Idol, and her husband Thomas Deluca, a musician. Both were 70 years old. The brutal killing took place in their $5 million mansion in Encino, which the couple purchased in early 2023. Authorities have classified the case as a double homicide, though a motive remains unclear. Just days prior, neighbors reported seeing a suspicious person, possibly armed, climbing over the fence.
Robin had been with American Idol for over 15 seasons, contributing to nearly 300 episodes. Her behind-the-scenes work shaped the sound of countless unforgettable TV moments and earned her multiple Guild of Music Supervisors Awards. Her husband, Thomas, was also a respected artist, having written songs for acts like Kid Rock and Molly Hatchet and releasing several albums of his own.
In a statement, American Idol called Robin “a cornerstone of the Idol family” and added, “She will remain in our hearts forever.”
