Grammy-nominated opera singer Jubilant Sykes was found stabbed to death in his Santa Monica home Monday night, and his 31-year-old son has been arrested on suspicion of murder, police said.
Officers responded to a 911 call reporting an assault in progress at a residence in the 1700 block of Delaware Avenue around 9:20 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2025, according to the Santa Monica Police Department. When they arrived, the victim’s wife was at the door and directed officers inside the home.
Police found Sykes, 71, with critical injuries consistent with a stabbing. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. His son, Micah Sykes, was found inside the residence and taken into custody without incident.
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, police said in a statement. Forensic specialists processed evidence at the scene, and investigators recovered the weapon used in the attack.
According to police Lt. Lewis Gilmour, the son has a history of mental health issues. Family members said Sykes and his wife were dedicated to helping their son, who lived with his parents. The suspect is cooperating with police, investigators said.
Micah Sykes appeared in court on Thursday, Dec 11, but the arraignment was delayed until after the New Year.
Police emphasized there is no ongoing threat to the surrounding community. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. Detective Peter Zamfirov is asking anyone with information to contact the Santa Monica Police Department.
The loss has shocked the classical music community and neighbors in the quiet Santa Monica area. One neighbor who asked not to be identified said she walked over after seeing crime tape and knew something significant had happened. The coroner was there, and it was frightening for what is normally a very quiet neighborhood, she said, adding it was especially sad to hear about a domestic dispute happening around the holidays.
Jubilant Sykes built a distinguished career spanning decades as a baritone who performed at hundreds of major venues worldwide. His performances graced the stages of the Metropolitan Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Carnegie Hall, London’s Barbican Centre, the Kennedy Center, the Apollo Theater, and the Hollywood Bowl.
He received a Grammy nomination for his performance in Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass,” in which he performed the demanding Celebrant role. The Guardian praised his 2005 performance in that role as spectacular. Throughout his career, he sang baritone, gospel, jazz, and folk music, demonstrating remarkable versatility across musical genres.
Born in Los Angeles on Sept 17, 1954, Sykes graduated from Santa Monica High School in 1972. He remained deeply connected to his hometown throughout his successful career, never forgetting his roots despite performing on international stages.
Vienna Hayes, the victim’s cousin, remembered him fondly. “He was an amazing singer, amazing person, amazing personality. He was just a light,” Hayes said.
Community member Pam Forbes echoed that sentiment, noting how he traveled the world for performances but always stayed connected to where he came from.
Another friend who met Sykes at Pacific Crossroads Church in Santa Monica, where the singer often performed, said he truly lived out his name. He had such jubilation for everything in life and was really just a force of love, the friend recalled.
Beyond opera, Sykes appeared in the 2014 film “Freedom” and collaborated with major artists throughout his career. His rich voice and artistic range earned him recognition from critics and audiences alike at venues that included some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls and opera houses.
Classical music requires years of intensive training and dedication. Opera singers must master vocal technique, languages, acting, and musical interpretation. Baritones like Sykes occupy a crucial middle range between bass and tenor voices, often portraying complex dramatic characters in operatic productions. The physical and artistic demands of maintaining a professional opera career over multiple decades demonstrate exceptional commitment to the art form.
Sykes is survived by his wife, Cecelia, and three sons. The investigation into the circumstances leading to his death continues, with the case expected to move forward through the Los Angeles County criminal justice system in the coming weeks.
