Jubilant Sykes, a Grammy-nominated opera and gospel singer, was stabbed at least 73 times by his son, who has been charged with his father’s murder.
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According to an autopsy report obtained by US Weekly, Sykes suffered 68 sharp-force injuries and five blunt-force injuries, likely caused by “a curved knife with the blade measuring approximately 9 inches long and 2 inches wide” found on the scene. A “10-pound dumbbell containing apparent blood stains” was also located nearby, per the report, which deemed Sykes’ manner of death to be a homicide.
The beloved baritone was found stabbed to death inside his Santa Monica, Calif. home on December 8, 2025.
His wife, Cecelia Sykes, was the one who called the police that night, explaining to authorities that her 31-year-old son, Micah Sykes, “who has a documented history of mental illness, had stabbed and killed” her husband, according to the report. She later explained that she was in the shower when she suddenly heard Sykes call out for help.
“When she came out of the shower, she saw their adult son standing over [Jubilant] stabbing him with an apparent artifactual sharp edge weapon,” the report said.
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Micah was subsequently arrested for his father’s murder, and he is currently being held without bond. In their request to keep Micah behind bars, prosecutors noted he’d been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was supposed to be “medicated,” but was either “under-medicated or not following his doctor’s recommendation,” ABC7 reported at the time.
His arraignment, which was supposed to occur last month, has been postponed until August 6, according to local outlets.
A celebrated singer, Sykes graced the stages of some of world’s most respected venues throughout his career, including Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera and the Apollo Theater in New York City.
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He was 71 years old.