Police said suspect Micah Sykes will be booked for alleged homicide, and the case will be presented to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.

Grammy-nominated singer Jubilant Sykes stabbed to death in home, son taken into custody

Police said suspect Micah Sykes will be booked for alleged homicide, and the case will be presented to the L.A. County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration.

By Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff is an award-winning journalist and staff writer at ** with over 12 years of experience covering all facets of the entertainment industry.

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December 9, 2025 8:47 p.m. ET

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Jubilant Sykes at the 2006 Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame Induction Concert. Credit:

Michael Buckner/Getty

Jubilant Sykes, the Grammy-nominated baritone opera singer, was fatally stabbed at his home in Santa Monica, Calif., on Monday. He was 71.

According to the Santa Monica Police Department, officers responded to a call of an assault in progress at a residence located on the 1700 block of Delaware Avenue around 9:20 p.m.

"Officers quickly arrived on scene and contacted the reporting party, who directed them inside the home," police said in a news release. "Inside the residence, officers located an adult male, 71-year-old Jubilant Sykes, with critical injuries consistent with a stabbing. Santa Monica Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced the individual deceased at the scene."

Authorities added, "The suspect, the victim’s son, Micah Sykes, 31, was found inside the residence and taken into custody without incident."

Jubilant Sykes with the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne.

Brill/ullstein bild via Getty

Police said forensic specialists processed and reviewed physical evidence from the crime scene, including the weapon. The incident is still under investigation, but "the suspect will be booked for homicide, and the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration."

The SMPD noted that the incident appeared to be an isolated event. Anyone with further information related to the case is encouraged to reach out to the department.

According to the *New York Times*, Jubilant Sykes performed at some of the world’s most well-known opera venues, including at Carnegie Hall, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the Barbican Center in London. He also tackled the role of Jake in *Porgy and Bess* at the famed Metropolitan Opera in 1990.

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Throughout his career, he collaborated with artists including Julie Andrews, Terence Blanchard, John Beasley, Renée Fleming, Josh Groban, Christopher Parkening, Patrice Rushen, Carlos Santana, Jennifer Warren, and Brian Wilson.

He also earned "editor's choice" honors from *Gramophone* magazine for his recording of Leonard Bernstein's *Mass*, for which he was also nominated for Best Classical Album at the 2009 Grammy Awards. In addition to opera, Sykes employed his vocal talents in the gospel and jazz genres.

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He also had acting credits on resume. Sykes made his film debut opposite Cuba Gooding Jr. in the 2014 historical drama *Freedom*, playing the African slave Ozias. He also portrayed Markus in the 2023 thriller *The Descent* and played a number of roles on stage, including Pompey in the musical *Bloomer Girl* and Henry Richard Lee in the musical *1776*.**

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