Just before ABC aired the exciting kickoff of “American Idol” season 24 on January 26, 2026, the show opened on a somber, silent note. A photo of Robin Kaye smiling appeared and, above it, text that read, “Season 24 of American Idol: Dedicated to Robin Kaye.” Beneath the photo, producers included in quotations, “We’ll save you a seat.”
Kaye, the show’s beloved music supervisor since 2009, was working on season 24 when she and her husband, Thomas Deluca, were found dead in their Los Angeles home, TMZ first reported on July 15, 2025.
What Happened to Robin Kaye?
GettyThe bodies of Kaye and Deluca, who were both 70, were found at their Encino home, killed by gunshots in separate rooms, TMZ first reported. LAPD officers arrived for a welfare check, called because friends and family hadn’t seen the couple in several days, the outlet said.
On August 25, People magazine first reported that, according to their death certificates, Kaye and Deluca died of multiple gunshot wounds on July 10, days before they were found. Per the autopsy, Deluca died “within seconds of being shot,” and Kaye died several minutes after.
According to a police affidavit obtained by People, the couple were killed after arriving home from the grocery store, and found a stranger in their house, later identified as 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian. People reported that they were each shot execution-style, multiple times in the head, with a gun that belonged to them.
In December 2025, a judge found Boodarian to be mentally incompetent to stand trial on murder charges, according to ABC7 in Los Angeles, and was committed to a state hospital.
What Did Robin Kaye Do Behind the Scenes at ‘American Idol?’
In July 2019, Kaye told “The Pop Disciple Podcast” that she loved working with her “kids” at the show. She was responsible for securing rights to songs they wanted to sing, from auditions to the finale, and shared many special moments with “Idol” stars, including Adam Lambert, Maddie Poppe, Laine Hardy, and more.
On July 15, a spokesperson for “American Idol” issued a statement on the show’s behalf, per KTLA, which said, “We are devastated to hear 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 respected by all who came in contact with her. Robin will remain in our hearts forever and we share our deepest sympathy with her family and friends during this difficult time.”
Many ‘American Idol’ Contestants & Judges Paid Tribute to Robin Kaye
Many former contestants paid tribute to Kaye, clearly heartbroken by news of her death. When season 10 finalist Casey Abrams posted a touching tribute on Instagram, season 8 winner Kris Allen wrote, “Robin was a huge reason I did well on the show but aside from that she was always sweet and kind. Thoughts are with her and her husbands families. Absolute tragedy.”
Season 13 winner Caleb Johnson shared a heartbreaking tribute on July 15, posting a photo with Kaye and writing, “In utter shock, horror, and disbelief that you are no longer with us😢 Robin, I’m so grateful to have met you in this lifetime”
Original “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson shared a tribute to Kaye on July 16, writing, “Rest in peace, Robin. She was a dear friend to me and to so many—judges, executives, contestants, publishers, writers, producers, and artists alike 💙. Robin consistently went the extra mile, meticulously ensuring songs were placed and cleared for the show. She was truly one of a kind. Forever loved and deeply appreciated 👏”
