‘American Idol’ Music Supervisor, Husband Shot, Killed at L.A. Home

Robin Kaye, a longtime music supervisor for American Idol, and her husband, Thomas Deluca, were shot and killed at their Encino home, and were found dead Monday afternoon, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed with Rolling Stone Tuesday.

While police did not provide additional information, an official confirmed that a suspect had been detained in connection with the killings. According to several reports on Tuesday, officers were called to Deluca and Kaye’s home in Encino Monday afternoon after the couple had not been seen for several days. Officers found the couple dead from gunshot wounds to the head.

“We are devastated to hear of Robin and her dear husband, Tom’s, passing,” a spokesperson for American Idol told Rolling Stone. “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.”

No motive has been revealed as the Valley Homicide Bureau continues to investigate the killing. A neighbor of the couple told Variety that police were called after a person was seen scaling a wall at the couple’s home.

According to her IMDB, Kaye worked on nearly 300 American Idol episodes. She was also credited as a music supervisor for Miss Universe, Lip Sync Battle, The Dance Scene, Crashed, and several other shows. According to Variety, Deluca was a songwriter and musician. They were both 70 years old.

“The general public assumes that music supervision is a glamorous and exciting job — being paid to work with one of everyone’s favorite pastimes, music,” Kaye told Variety for a feature in 2019. “[But] in most films and scripted television … the music is usually the very last thing that happens, and sometimes there is not enough budget left to fill all the music needs. Music supervisors are often expected to work fast and pull miracles creatively and financially to complete the project.”