Jubilant Sykes, the Grammy-nominated opera star, has been found dead at age 71, after being stabbed in his home in Santa Monica, California.
Authorities say first responders arrived at the residence in the 1700 block of Delaware Avenue on Monday evening around 9:20 p.m. after receiving a 911 call reporting an assault in progress. Upon entry, officers discovered Sykes suffering from severe injuries consistent with a stabbing; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
His 31-year-old son, Micah Sykes, was found inside the home and was taken into custody without incident. He is expected to be booked for homicide, pending review by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. A weapon was recovered at the scene, and forensic specialists are processing evidence as investigators continue working to piece together what led to the fatal incident.
Sykes was a celebrated baritone whose career spanned classical opera, gospel, jazz, spirituals and more. He performed at world-renowned venues such as the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl among others, and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Classical Album for his performance in Leonard Bernstein’s Mass.
The police have described the killing as an isolated incident inside the home, and they said there is no ongoing threat to the community. The investigation remains open as detectives seek to determine the circumstances that precipitated this tragic event.
