Micah Sykes Arrested For Fatally Stabbing Father, Jubilant Sykes

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department announced on Tuesday, December 9 that an arrest has been made in connected to a domestic incident that transpired on December 8. Authorities reported at approximately 9:20 p.m., on December 8, officers responded to a residence in the 1700 block of Delaware Avenue after a 9-1-1 caller reported an assault in progress.

Officers quickly arrived on scene and contacted the reporting party, who directed them inside the home.

Inside the residence, officers located an adult male, Jubilant Sykes, 71, with critical injuries consistent with a stabbing. Santa Monica Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced the individual deceased at the scene. The suspect, the victim’s son, Micah Sykes, 31, was found inside the residence and taken into custody without incident.

Detectives from SMPD’s Criminal Investigations Division responded, secured the scene, and subsequently obtained a search warrant. Forensic specialists are processing physical evidence, including the weapon recovered at the scene.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. The suspect will be booked for homicide, and the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.

This appears to be an isolated incident occurring within a private residence, and there is no ongoing threat to the community. The SMPD maintained a presence in the area throughout the investigation. Lt. Lewis Gilmour with the SMPD informed Canyon News via email no photos of the suspect will be released at this time.

Jubilant Sykes has is a Grammy-nominated opera singer who has performed at venues including Metropolitan Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, The Kennedy Center, London’s Barbican Centre, Hollywood Bowl, the New Orleans Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl to name a few.

He has collaborated with artists including Josh Groban, Carlos Santana, Julie Andrews and John Beasley to name a few. He was nominated for Best Classical Album at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

Anyone with details related to this case is asked to contact SMPD Detective Peter Zamfirov at (310) 458-8451 (peter.zamfirov@santamonica.gov) or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at (310) 458-8427.