Micah Sykes, 31, appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court on Dec. 11 after being arrested on suspicion of fatally stabbing his father, 71‑year‑old Grammy‑nominated baritone Jubilant Sykes, at their Santa Monica home on Dec. 8. The judge ordered Micah held without bail and continued his arraignment to Feb. 11. During the hearing he interrupted prosecutors to complain that his mother — who reportedly witnessed the attack — was not present; the court has ordered no contact between him and his mother. Police recovered a weapon and described the killing as an isolated domestic incident.
Son Accused of Killing Grammy‑Nominated Baritone Jubilant Sykes Held Without Bail After Court Outburst
ABC7/YouTubeMicah Sykes appears in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025.
Micah Sykes, 31, made his first appearance in Los Angeles Superior Court on Dec. 11 after being arrested on suspicion of fatally stabbing his father, Grammy‑nominated baritone Jubilant Sykes, at the family home in Santa Monica on Dec. 8.
Court Hearing And Allegations
The judge ordered Micah held without bail and continued his arraignment to Feb. 11. During the brief hearing Micah interrupted Deputy District Attorney Cesar Rodriguez, declaring, "I don't see my mother here... This person's not telling the truth whatsoever," according to reporting by KABC‑TV. Court filings indicate the defendant has been ordered to have no contact with his mother, who reportedly witnessed the attack.
Prosecutors told the court that some family members attended and urged the judge to deny bail. They also said Micah has an apparent diagnosis of schizophrenia and was allegedly not taking prescribed medication at the time of the incident.
Hiroyuki Ito/GettyJubilant Sykes.
Incident Details
According to a Santa Monica Police Department press release, officers responded to the family home at about 9:20 p.m. on Dec. 8. Jubilant Sykes, 71, was found deceased with multiple stab wounds and a weapon was recovered at the scene. Police described the incident as domestic in nature and said it appeared to be isolated, with "no ongoing threat to the community."
An attorney for Micah could not be immediately identified by PEOPLE.
About Jubilant Sykes
Jubilant Sykes was a celebrated baritone who earned a Grammy nomination for a 2009 recording of Leonard Bernstein's Mass. He performed at major venues including the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, and collaborated with artists such as Julie Andrews, Josh Groban, Carlos Santana and Brian Wilson. He is survived by his wife, Cecelia, and their three sons.
Sources: PEOPLE, KABC‑TV, Santa Monica Police Department press release.
