Grammy-nominated singer Jubilant Sykes stabbed to dying in LA residence aged 71 – with star’s son arrested

Grammy-nominated singer Jubilant Sykes was tragically killed inside his Santa Monica home on Monday, and police have arrested the star’s son in connection with the slaying. 

Officers from the Santa Monica Police Department rushed to the scene at around 9:20 PM after a 9-1-1 call reported an assault in progress. 

When they arrived, they found Sykes, 71, with ‘critical injuries consistent with a stabbing,’ according to the official report. 

His son Micah Sykes, 31, was discovered inside the home and taken into custody as a suspect. 

He will be ‘booked for homicide, and the case will be presented to the LA County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration,’ police said. 

Officers added that evidence is being processed and a weapon was recovered at the scene.

Grammy-nominated singer Jubilant Sykes was killed inside his Santa Monica home on Monday, with the star’s son arrested in connection to the slaying – pictured 2016

Police said Sykes’ son Micah, 31, (pictured) was found inside the home and taken into custody as a suspect

‘The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation,’ authorities added, noting, ‘This appears to be an isolated incident occurring within a private residence, and there is no ongoing threat to the community.’ 

Years before his father’s tragic death, Micah Sykes’ behavior had already raised serious concerns. 

In 2017, a Southern California woman secured a restraining order after alleging Micah had become threatening and unpredictable, per Rolling Stone.

‘Micah shows signs of mental instability. His behavior is unpredictable. Micah poses a real threat… and he has been violent with his own family members,’ the petition obtained by Rolling Stone reads.

The filing claims he confronted the woman outside a church, declaring his love for her and insisting she felt the same. 

When someone stepped in, Micah allegedly asked the man, ‘Do you have a sharp object in your back pocket?’

He was later arrested following an attempted break-in at the man’s father’s home and placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold. 

The restraining order was officially granted in October 2017, cementing a chilling record of concerning behavior.

Sykes frequently shared photos with his son Micah on social media. (Micah and Jubilant with family)

The police said, ‘This appears to be an isolated incident occurring within a private residence, and there is no ongoing threat to the community’ 

Sykes grew up in Los Angeles, where he was performing as a boy soprano long before he ever imagined a future on the world’s major classical stages. 

Despite that early talent, opera wasn’t initially part of his plans. 

‘Initially, I had no dreams of becoming an opera singer,’ he told CSUF News in 2019.

‘But that changed when I was at Cal State Fullerton. I had teachers who poured their lives into me. 

‘I had everything I needed right on campus to prepare me for my career.’

At Cal State Fullerton, mentors recognized the full potential of his voice and guided him toward classical training. 

When officers arrived at the $2 million Santa Monica hom (pictured), they found Sykes, 71, with ‘critical injuries consistent with a stabbing’, according to the official report

‘The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation,’ police said

That talent soon carried him to some of the world’s most prestigious stages. 

Over the course of his career, Sykes built a résumé that spanned nearly every major cultural institution in the world. 

He performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, London’s Barbican Centre, the Apollo Theater, the Hollywood Bowl, and the New Orleans Jazz Festival. 

His collaborations ranged from classical guitar legend Christopher Parkening to major orchestras and chamber ensembles.