The son of Grammy-nominated opera singer Jubilant Sykes has been arraigned, nearly eight months after he was arrested and accused of brutally killing his father.
Micah Sykes, 31, pleaded not guilty to murder on Thursday, Aug. 6, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.
The murder charge includes a special allegation that a deadly weapon was used during the commission of the crime, inflicting great bodily injury “upon a vulnerable victim 60 years of age or older,” the D.A.’s office said.
Jubilant, 71, was fatally stabbed inside his home in Santa Monica, California, on the night of Dec. 8, 2025. His wife Cecelia, who is Micah’s mother, was home during the attack and called 911. Jubilant was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Micah was quickly arrested and made his first court appearance on Dec. 11. His arraignment was postponed multiple times until this week.
He remains jailed, after being denied bail during the initial court appearance. He is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 2 in downtown Los Angeles.
Local news station KTLA-TV obtained a copy of the medical examiner’s report, which said Jubilant suffered 73 wounds during the attack — 68 “sharp-force” injuries and five “blunt-force” injuries.
The autopsy report included statements from investigators, who said Cecelia was home at the time. She told investigators she was in the shower when she heard her husband yelling for help, and said their son had a history of mental illness.
“When she came out of the shower, she saw their adult son standing over [Jubilant], stabbing him,” the report said. Prosecutors allege Micah used a dagger, garden shears, and a barbell during a confrontation with his father.
“Our community continues to mourn the senseless loss of Jubilant Sykes whose renowned baritone and legacy of music brought joy to the world,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement.
“This horrific act of violence is a painful reminder of how older adults remain vulnerable to violence, even from those closest to them,” Hochman added.
Deputy District Attorneys Cesar Rodriguez and Julia Cohn of the D.A.’s Elder Abuse Section are trying the case.
Jubilant grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from California State University, Fullerton, according to his personal website.
He received a Grammy nomination in 2009, in the category of Best Classical Album for Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass.”
Over the years, he collaborated with Julie Andrews, Terence Blanchard, Josh Groban, Patrice Rushen, Carlos Santana, Jennifer Warren, and Brian Wilson.
The renowned singer performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Arena di Verona in Italy, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the Apollo Theater, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and other iconic venues.
He appeared in the 2014 film Freedom, playing an African slave, and performed on stage in multiple plays.
According to his online biography, Jubilant and Cecelia had three sons.
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