Grammy-nominated singer, 71, stabbed to death at home, son arrested on suspicion of murder
An acclaimed performer has been stabbed to death in his California home, with his son arrested on suspicion of murder.
Grammy-nominated opera singer Jubilant Sykes was fatally stabbed at his California home as his cops arrested his son on suspicion of murder.
Officers responded around 9.20pm on Monday to an emergency call reporting an ongoing assault at a Santa Monica residence, reports The Sun.
They found Sykes, 71, inside his own home with “critical injuries consistent with a stabbing.”
Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
Police say his son, 31-year-old Micah Sykes, was found in the home and taken into custody without incident.
He was booked on suspicion of homicide, and the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.
Authorities recovered a weapon and say the attack appears to have been an isolated domestic incident.
Lieutenant Lewis Gilmour of Santa Monica Police Department told the Daily Mail that Micah is being held on a US$2 million (A$3.01 million) bail.
Investigators are still determining what led to the stabbing.
Police say the victim’s wife made the emergency call, and Micah Sykes reportedly had a history of mental health struggles.
Lieutenant Gilmour added: “The family reports the suspect had prior mental health issues. However, it is unknown if that contributed to the incident.”
Years before his father’s tragic death, Micah Sykes’ behaviour reportedly had already raised serious concerns.
In 2017, a Southern California woman secured a restraining order after alleging Micah had become threatening and unpredictable, according to Rolling Stone.
A petition obtained by the outlet reads: “Micah shows signs of mental instability. His behaviour is unpredictable. Micah poses a real threat … and he has been violent with his own family members.”
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?”, according to Rolling Stone.
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.
Jubilant Sykes, a Los Angeles native, was a celebrated baritone nominated for best classical album at the 2010 Grammy Awards for Bernstein: Mass.
He performed at major venues including the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Apollo Theater, the Hollywood Bowl, the Deutsche Oper Berlin and Arena di Verona.
He once told NPR: “My singing is like breathing – it’s an extension of me. I don’t think of it is extraordinary. It’s my passion.”
Orchestra Santa Monica said he served as an artistic adviser and performed and narrated with the group.
Music director Roger Kalia said: “Jubilant was a true inspiration — his artistry, generosity, and kindness touched countless lives.”
His management team, ACM 360 Artists, said in a statement: “We are saddened to share news of the tragic passing of Grammy-nominated baritone, actor, husband, father, and beloved friend, Jubilant Sykes
“Jubilant’s remarkable artistry touched millions, and his voice was rightly described as ‘art at its highest expression.’”
Neighbours described Sykes as modest despite his international career, often seen gardening or shaping a tree in front of his home into a heart.
This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.
Originally published as Grammy-nominated singer, 71, stabbed to death at home, son arrested on suspicion of murder
