Who is Jubilant Sykes’ son? All about Micah Sykes arrested after Grammy-nominated singer stabbed to death

Baritone opera singer Jubilant Sykes was fatally stabbed at his home in Santa Monica, California, on December 8. He was 71. His son, Micah Sykes, was “taken into custody without incident” on Tuesday on suspicion of murder.

Micah, 31, is an artist, painter, performer, portrait photographer, and entrepreneur.

According to the Santa Monica Police Department’s statement to The Guardian, authorities responded to a 911 call of an ongoing domestic assault at Jubilant Sykes’ Delaware Avenue residence on Monday night.

When the officers arrived at the scene, they discovered the legendary gospel singer lying in a pool of blood with serious stab injuries. Later, paramedics declared him dead.

“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,” the SMPD stated.

The authorities have reportedly recovered the murder weapon. It remains unknown whether Micah Sykes has confessed to killing his father. The motive is also undisclosed at this time.

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All about Jubilant Sykes’ son

Micah Sykes was born to Jubilant Sykes and his wife, Cecelia Sykes. He grew up with two brothers.

Micah majored in fine/ studio arts and photography from Arizona State University in 2014. While in college, he served as the part-time photographer of the School of Film, Dance, and Theater, and took publicity/ action shots for the modern dance program.

For the last nine years, Micah has been a self-employed portrait photographer and videographer. Before that, he was a freelance website and social media publisher for the Pacific Crossroad Church and uploading sermons was a major part of his job description.

Jubilant Sykes’ son also worked in the food/ customer service industry. For instance, he was the barista, store clerk, and cashier for the Lo-Cal Coffee and a grocery clerk for the Ralphs Grocery Company.

Micah’s Facebook page is full of his abstract artwork. His last post was on September 24.

In the aftermath of Jubilant Sykes’ death, his family told the authorities that his son had a history of mental health problems. However, whether that played a role in the crime remains a mystery.

“At this point, it’s unclear what circumstances led up; if there was any altercation or argument, we are investigating that angle right now,” Santa Monica Police Department’s spokesperson, Lt. Lewis Gilmour, told the press.

Micah Sykes is currently being held on a $2 million bail and is scheduled for a court hearing on Thursday.

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Jubilant Sykes was born and raised in Los Angeles. He began as a child soprano, then moved on to baritone, jazz, and gospel singing. During a 2019 interview with CSUF News, he stated:

“Initially, I had no dreams of becoming an opera singer. But that changed when I was at Cal State Fullerton. I had teachers who poured their lives into me. I had everything I needed right on campus to prepare me for my career.”

The late Mr Sykes also told NPR in 2002 that he was proficient in all genres of music and considered singing like “breathing – it’s an extension of me,” adding it was more like a “passion.”

He received a Grammy nomination for Best Classical Album in 2010 for his role as Celebrant in Leonard Bernstein’s Mass in collaboration with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Jubilant’s management company, ACM 360 Artists, mourned his sudden and unfortunate demise in a statement to the New York Times.

It said that he would be “greatly missed,” and Sykes’ “remarkable artistry touched millions.” They also described the deceased’s voice as “art at its highest expression.”