A recently unsealed autopsy report details the violent death of Grammy-nominated opera singer Jubilant Sykes, who was stabbed at least 73 times in his Santa Monica home on December 8, 2025. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's report, obtained by Us Weekly, ruled Sykes's death a homicide.
Sykes's son, 32-year-old Micah Sykes, was arrested at the scene and faces murder charges in connection with the killing. According to the report, Sykes's wife, Cecelia Sykes, was in the shower when she heard her husband yell for her to call 9-1-1. Upon emerging, she saw their son standing over Jubilant Sykes, stabbing him with a weapon. She told police her son had a documented history of mental illness.
The autopsy revealed a minimum of 73 wounds, with 68 classified as sharp force injuries and five as blunt force injuries. Investigators recovered two weapons: a curved knife approximately nine inches long and a 10-pound dumbbell with apparent blood stains. Toxicology tests did not indicate the presence of drugs in Sykes's system.
During a February court hearing, Micah Sykes interrupted prosecutors, stating, "I don't see my mother here… This person's not telling the truth whatsoever." A judge ordered him held without bail on a $2 million bond, delaying his arraignment. Prosecutors noted that Micah's mother witnessed the attack and is protected by a no-contact order. They also cited concerns about Micah's mental health, stating he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was not adhering to his medication regimen. He was described as homeless and living at his parents' home.
Police responded to an assault call at the Delaware Avenue residence around 9:20 p.m. on December 8, 2025, finding Sykes with critical injuries. Micah Sykes was apprehended inside the home without incident. Authorities classified the incident as domestic and stated there was no ongoing threat to the community.
Records indicate Micah Sykes had previous alleged incidents of erratic behavior. In 2017, a restraining order was sought against him following an alleged break-in attempt, during which he was accused of fixating on the woman seeking the order and attempting to force his way into a home. A neighborhood source also told TMZ that Micah had been seen wandering the area, "rambling in public and shouting nonsensical things," amid ongoing mental health struggles.
Jubilant Sykes, a celebrated baritone, had a career spanning decades. He received a Grammy nomination for his performance in a 2009 recording of Leonard Bernstein’s Mass and performed at prestigious venues worldwide. He collaborated with numerous artists and was described by acquaintances as deeply committed to his family and community. He and his wife, Cecelia, had three sons.