Grammy-nominated baritone Jubilant Sykes has died at 71 after being stabbed in his Santa Monica home, police said. Santa Monica police pronounced Sykes deceased at the scene after he was found with injuries consistent with a stabbing.
- Name: Jubilant Sykes, 71
- Cause: Stabbed in his home; pronounced dead at scene
- Location: Family home, Santa Monica, California
- Suspect: Son Micah Sykes, 31 — taken into custody and to be booked for homicide
- Investigation: Scene secured, search warrant executed; weapon recovered
The Santa Monica Police Department said in a Tuesday statement that officers found Sykes “with critical injuries consistent with a stabbing” and that he was “pronounced deceased at the scene.” Authorities identified the suspect as the victim’s son, Micah Sykes, 31, who was at the home when police arrived and was taken into custody “without incident.”
Detectives secured the property, obtained a search warrant and said a forensics team will process physical evidence, including the weapon recovered at the scene. Police have not released additional details as the investigation continues.
Reports from Rolling Stone and other outlets note that Micah was the subject of a 2017 restraining order filed by a Southern California woman that described concerns about his mental stability and alleged prior violence toward family members. The filing said Micah was later placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold after an attempted break-in at his father’s home; the restraining order was reportedly granted in October 2017.
The Legacy
Jubilant Sykes built a distinguished career across opera, concert halls and film. Highlights include:
- 2010 Grammy nomination for his recording with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
- Stage appearances in Porgy and Bess at the Metropolitan Opera in 1990, with performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and London’s Barbican among his major credits.
- Credits across film and soundtrack work, including the soundtrack for the 1990 film Pastime and acting roles in Freedom (2014) and The Descent (2023); he was listed on IMDB for a forthcoming role in The Descent Part II.
Tributes & Reaction
News of Sykes’s death was quickly picked up by major outlets including The New York Times and Rolling Stone. Colleagues, fans and classical-music communities have expressed shock and grief online as details continue to emerge. Santa Monica police remain the lead on the criminal investigation; family statements and additional tributes have not yet been released.
This remains an active investigation. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Santa Monica Police Department as detectives continue to process evidence and establish a full timeline.
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