Opera singer Jubilant Sykes fatally stabbed at his Southern California home

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA: Grammy-nominated opera singer Jubilant Sykes, 71, was brutally stabbed and killed at his Southern California home, authorities revealed on Tuesday, December 9.

The Santa Monica Police Department said in a statement that they identified the alleged assailant as his son, Micah Sykes, 31, and was booked on suspicion of homicide.

Jubilant Sykes pronounced dead at crime scene

Jubliant Sykes was found on the night of Monday, December 8, with critical injuries at the family’s Santa Monica home after authorities responded to a report of an assault in progress, as per the department. The opera singer was pronounced dead at the scene.

Meanwhile, his son, Micah Sykes, was found inside the house and was taken into custody without incident, the department mentioned in the statement. A weapon was also recovered and is being processed with other physical evidence, as per the department. 

The Santa Monica Police Department also said that it is forwarding the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Sykes was a classically trained baritone and his music was influenced by gospel, jazz, and folk. 

Moreover, his rendition of Leonard Bernstein's "Mass" was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2010.

Neighbors remember Jubilant Sykes

Neighbors informed reporters at the scene that Jubilant Sykes grew up in the area and would sing at the nearby Calvary Baptist Church.

Pam Forbes Clayton, a neighbor of Sykes, told reporters, "I grew up with him. His mother was so involved with the Santa Monica community. Jubilant was a singer beyond words. He sang all around the country, opera."

"He was so beautiful. And he would just walk from here, two blocks over down the hill and say, 'Pam, I need space, can I sing in the (church) sanctuary?' And I said, 'Sure'. We’d leave him in there. He’d say, 'Can I sing over here in the garden?' We’d leave him there. His wife — beautiful. They’re beautiful Christian people," Clayton added.

According to a biography on Sykes' website, he has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Arena di Verona in Italy, the Apollo Theater, and Hollywood Bowl. 

He performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony, New York Philharmonic, London Symphony, and the Boston Pops, to name a few. He also collaborated with artists such as Josh Groban, Julie Andrews, Carlos Santan, and Brian Wilson.

In 2014, he appeared in the film 'Freedom' playing an African slave, and appeared on stage in the play 'Breath and Imagination' and in the musicals 'Bloomer Girl' and '1776'.

Furthermore, Jubilant Sykes lent his voice to the soundtrack for the 1990 baseball drama film 'Pastime'. His biography mentions that he and his wife, Cecelia, had three sons.