A Grammy-nominated opera singer has sadly passed away after police found him at home with stab wounds.
On the evening of Monday, December 8, authorities responded to an address in Santa Monica, California, due to reports of an assault.
The Santa Monica Police Department reported they were dispatched to a residence on the 1700 block of Delaware Avenue at approximately 9:20 PM following a 911 call about an ongoing assault. It has been confirmed that classical and gospel singer Jubilant Sykes succumbed to injuries from the suspected stabbing.
Local authorities disclosed that they discovered Jubilant with severe wounds indicative of a stabbing. The fire service declared him dead at the location.
Lt. Erika Aklufi stated: “Officers arrived and contacted the reporting party, who directed them into the home where they located an adult male with significant injuries.”
In their statement, police confirmed that the suspected attacker was apprehended at the scene.
The police have now confirmed that Jubilant’s son, Micah Sykes, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, with bail set at $2 million. Authorities stated that the 31-year-old was “found inside the residence and taken into custody without incident.”
A possible weapon was retrieved from the scene. The investigation continues, but the Santa Monica Police Department plans to transfer the case to prosecutors to determine if criminal charges will be pursued.
Jubilant’s friend and neighbor, Sammy Murphy, identified him as the victim while speaking to KTLA.
“I was born and raised in Santa Monica, so we were really pretty close out here,” Murphy said. “What a singer … good spirit, good-hearted person, beautiful family.”
Roger Kalia, Orchestra Santa Monica’s music director, expressed in a statement: “Jubilant was a true inspiration—his artistry, generosity, and kindness touched countless lives.”
This tragic news comes as the esteemed baritone opera singer, known for performing with orchestras and at major venues worldwide, including the Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall, was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Classical Album category in 2009 for his role as Celebrant in Leonard Bernstein’s Mass, a musical theatre piece.
The Los Angeles native had previously shared with NPR that singing was as natural to him as breathing.
“It’s an extension of me,” he told the outlet in 2022. “I don’t think of it as extraordinary. It’s my passion.”
According to The Mirror, Jubilant also portrayed the role of Jake in the 1990 Metropolitan Opera production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and served as an artistic advisor for Orchestra Santa Monica, where he performed and narrated for the organization.