Sykes, a celebrated bass-baritone, performed at prestigious venues worldwide, including the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center
A Grammy-nominated opera singer was fatally stabbed in his Santa Monica home Monday night by his son, who remained at the scene and was taken into custody without incident, authorities said.
Jubilant Sykes, 71, was found with critical stab wounds inside a residence in the 1700 block of Delaware Avenue around 9:20 p.m., according to the Santa Monica Police Department. Firefighters pronounced him dead at the scene.
The suspect, Sykes’ 31-year-old son Micah Sykes, was arrested and is expected to be booked on suspicion of homicide. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration, police said.
Sykes, a celebrated bass-baritone, performed at prestigious venues worldwide, including the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Italy’s Arena di Verona, London’s Barbican Center, the New Orleans Jazz Festival, the Apollo Theater and the Hollywood Bowl. He collaborated with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and other major orchestras throughout his career.
Detectives believe the attack was an isolated domestic incident with no ongoing threat to the community. The son remained cooperative during the investigation, though the circumstances leading to the confrontation were not immediately clear.
Forensic teams processed the scene and recovered a weapon. Police maintained a presence in the area overnight.
Anyone with information is asked to contact SMPD Detective Peter Zamfirov at (310) 458-8451 or peter.zamfirov@santamonica.gov. Anonymous tips can be directed to the Watch Commander at (310) 458-8427.
