Charged Suspect Undergoes Mental Evaluation After Fatal Shooting of ‘American Idol’ Producer Robin Kaye and Her Husband

In a Los Angeles court, the defendant charged with fatally shooting an “American Idol” music supervisor and her husband at their residence has been ordered to undergo a mental evaluation. The 22-year-old suspect, Raymond Boodarian, did not enter a plea during his scheduled arraignment.

The judge suspended the criminal proceedings against Boodarian temporarily, pending a psychiatric assessment to determine his competency to stand trial. The evaluation will be conducted by a mental health specialist at a specialized court.

Boodarian faces two counts of murder in connection with the shooting deaths of Robin Kaye, a long-time “American Idol” producer, and her husband Thomas Deluca, both aged 70. The incident occurred during a burglary on July 10, when the couple unexpectedly returned home.

Following the evaluation, a judge at the mental health court will decide whether Boodarian is fit to proceed toward trial or should be admitted to a state hospital. During the court proceedings, Boodarian remained hidden behind a window in a custody area of the courtroom.

His attorney declined to comment on the case, and the district attorney’s office did not provide an immediate response. The evaluation process will occur at the same courthouse on Hollywood Boulevard where a man accused of stalking Jennifer Aniston and driving into her home’s front gate was recently declared incompetent for trial.

Initially, police responded to a 911 call reporting a burglary at Kaye and Deluca’s residence in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles but found no signs of forced entry or other disturbances. Four days later, officers performed a welfare check at the home and discovered the couple’s bodies, both shot dead. Boodarian was arrested the day after the discovery.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman later revealed in a community meeting that investigators believe the couple arrived unexpectedly while Boodarian was burglarizing their home. He used their own gun to shoot them, and subsequently called 911 himself, according to Hochman.

At the time of her death, Kaye had been working on the upcoming season of “American Idol” and had also contributed to the music departments of various other productions such as “The Singing Bee,” “Hollywood Game Night,” “Lip Sync Battle,” and several Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.