Police are investigating a double murder reportedly involving American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to Us Weekly that two victims, a man and a woman, were found dead with possible gunshot wounds inside a home in Encino, California on Monday, July 14. Both were 70 years old.
Police said they were both pronounced dead at the scene. The motive is unknown and the investigation is ongoing.
Although authorities couldn’t confirm the identity of the victims, TMZ reported that Kaye was found dead at the residence as well as her husband, Thomas Deluca. It’s reportedly being investigated as a double homicide.
Police confirmed to Us that authorities responded to calls of a welfare check. TMZ added that after authorities saw blood at the front entrance, they smashed a window to gain entry into the home.
A nearby resident told KTLA that the home where the shooting took place is a rental property that at one point belonged to the late rapper Juice WRLD in some capacity.
Kaye worked in American Idol’s music department for more than 10 years, per her IMDB page. She also worked on TV specials like the Miss Universe pageant and the NAACP Image Awards.
“We are devastated to hear of Robin and her dear husband, Tom’s, passing,” a spokesperson for American Idol shared with Us. “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.”
During the 7th Annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards in Hollywood, Kaye spoke out about her career as a music supervisor.
“It’s one of those parts of the business that people don’t even know it exists,” she said in 2017. “It’s a very important part of films and TV. Pretty much everything in the entertainment industry has music in it and people just think that it’s there.”
As for Deluca, he was also involved in the music industry thanks to his career as a musician.
Deluca reportedly began his music career in Nashville where he signed his first publishing deal in his early 20s. He later moved to Los Angeles in the 90s when he was signed by Epic Records as a solo artist.
While many budding musicians got their big breaks on the American Idol stage through the years, a handful lost their lives not long afterward. Nikki McKibbin, who appeared alongside Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini on season 1, died in November 2020 at the age of 42. The Fear Factor alum, who finished in third place on the competition’s debut season […]
He released an album called Street Rock in 2022.
“These are songs that had special meaning to me at different phases of my life, but I never expected them to be heard,” he said about his last released body of work. “I hope the listener will enjoy them as much as I enjoyed writing and recording them.”
As of press time, there was no information regarding a potential suspect. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.
