Raymond Boodarian, the 22-year-old man accused of murdering American Idol executive Robin Kaye and her husband, appears to have had quite a reputation – for all the wrong reasons possible – even before he was connected to the spine-chilling tragedy.
US reports indicated that the murder suspect lived in a condo just 13 minutes away from the $4.5 million property in Encino which the now-deceased couple called their home. The celebrity-packed locale also includes the residences of Nick and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Dave Grohl.
In addition to the American Idol boss, True Story Realty notes that the Encino neighbourhood in Los Angeles has been home to Hailee Steinfeld, actor Vince Vaughn, music producer Zedd, the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, celeb couple Meghan Trainor and Daryl Sabara, and singer Neil Diamond at one point or another.
American Idol murder suspect’s neighbours speak out
After Kaye and husband, Thomas DeLuca, were fatally shot in a double homicide during a suspected break-in at their Los Angeles abode, people believed to Boodarian’s neighbours have come forward with numerous accounts of his viciously violent history.
An 80-year-old neighbour named Madlen Amrani told the New York Post that Raymond has long been a heavy drug user, a debilitating habit that impacted even those living close to him. “We had a lot of problems with him because he’s taking drugs. Every now and then he would be outside high,” Amrani said. “The neighbors complained and they come and arrest him.” The elderly individual further spilled that Boodarian wasn’t alone in sparking fears among those in the area, as he would often bring out other drug addicts, and they would all indulge in their toxic routine on the block.
Presumed drug addict Raymond Boodarian’s criminal history revealed
A Fox News video report also backed the claim, as a neighbour told the outlet the accused was “on and off medication.” Though unclear if it was due to his medication or explicit drugs, the person added that Raymond would be “always taken for a couple of months.” They recounted an alleged incident when the 22-year-old got violent with his mother, who lives with him, and even tried to stab her.
While Boodarian was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly murdered Robin Kaye and Thomas DeLuca, it wasn’t his first brush with the law. Officers maintained the victims were ruthlessly shot multiple times” after they returned back to their home. A violent struggle ensued as the alleged shooter was already inside the LA residence. The late couple’s three pets — a small white dog, a tortoise and a parrot — were found safe and sound despite the tragic unfolding, TMZ reported.
According to The Post, his rap sheet is said to be drowning with mentions of prior arrests prompted by his violent behaviour. The list dates back to 2023, including charges of exhibiting a deadly weapon, battery and threatening to commit a crime with intent to terrorise, the LA Times highlighted.
His first arrest came in October 2023. However, he was released the same day, followed by another account of being taken into custody, and then again let go of by February. Months later, he was again nabbed in June 2024. At the time, he was held back behind bars for six months, as per California inmate records.
NBC Los Angeles further reported that a judge dismissed the cases against Boodarian after a mental health evaluation in December. Court records showed that the suspect was placed in a conservatorship.