Juice WRLD’s tragic death resurfaces as murder of ‘American Idol’ exec unfolds at his former L.A. mansion

Juice WRLD was 21 years old when he died suddenly on December 8, 2019. The Chicago-born rapper, born Jarad Higgins, had just stepped off a private plane at Midway Airport when he suffered a seizure. He was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead shortly after. A later autopsy confirmed the cause as an accidental overdose involving oxycodone and codeine.

This week, his name resurfaced in an unexpected place — tied not to music, but to a crime scene. The Los Angeles mansion where American Idol executive Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca, were found murdered earlier this month reportedly used to be home to Juice WRLD. According to local property records and industry sources, the late rapper lived at the Encino estate during the final stretch of his life. Kaye and Deluca purchased the house several years later.

Police have made an arrest in the double homicide, but the case remains under investigation. There’s no known connection between the suspect and the property’s former resident. Still, the overlap — two tragic headlines tied to the same address — has drawn renewed public attention to the young artist who once lived there.

Juice WRLD’s brief but brilliant legacy

Juice WRLD was one of the most prominent names in hip-hop. His popular song “Lucid Dreams,” released in 2018, turned heartbreak into a streaming sensation. His unique combination of emo-rap and raw lyrics formed the basis of his genre and helped solidify a generation of young artists. He gained two successful albums, a global fandom, and collaborations with BTS and Nicki Minaj by the age of 21.

Despite his success, he struggled with addiction issues — though his secrets were no longer hidden. Through his interviews and music, he openly showcased his addiction problems, laying bare the consequences in a way that resonated with many fans. He was on a suspected drug-containing plane, and during the landing, he fainted.

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His death hit hard — not just because of his age, but because of what he represented. He embodied raw honesty, unpolished talent, and the deep emotional currents running through a new wave of hip-hop. Even years later, his music continues to chart, and his influence is easy to spot in artists who came after him.

The Encino mansion has now become a backdrop for two very different stories — one about an artist who left too soon, and another still unfolding.

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