Grammy-nominated baritone Jubilant Sykes suffered 73 wounds, including 68 stab wounds and five blunt-force injuries, when he was killed at his Santa Monica home on Monday, December 8, 2025, according to a Los Angeles County medical examiner's autopsy report released Wednesday, July 23.

The report ruled Sykes' death a homicide caused by multiple stab wounds inflicted with a curved knife measuring approximately 9 inches long and 2 inches wide. Sykes, 71, was also struck with a 10-pound dumbbell. The stab wounds penetrated his heart, liver and lungs, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing the autopsy findings.

His son, Micah Sykes, 31, has been charged with murder with an enhancement for injury to a vulnerable victim, a charge that can apply based on the victim's age. He has remained in custody without bail since his arrest in December 2025. His next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, August 6, according to court records cited by the Los Angeles Times. The arraignment has been delayed repeatedly.

What the autopsy report describes

Cecelia Sykes, Jubilant's wife, told authorities she was in the shower when she heard her husband yell for her to call 911. When she came out, she saw their son standing over Jubilant, stabbing him, according to the account recorded in the autopsy report.

Cecelia Sykes called 911 around 9:19 p.m. and reported witnessing an assault at their home on Delaware Avenue near 18th Street in the Pico neighborhood, according to the New York Post's reporting at the time of the killing.

Santa Monica Police officers found Sykes inside the home with significant injuries. Santa Monica Fire Department personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.

The autopsy report noted that Micah Sykes has a documented history of mental illness, based on information Cecelia Sykes provided to authorities. At his first court appearance in December 2025, it emerged that Micah Sykes had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was supposed to be medicated at the time of the killing, the New York Post reported.

Police called it an isolated incident in December

Lt. Lewis Gilmour of the Santa Monica Police Department said on December 9, 2025, the day after the killing: "Based on the preliminary investigation, detectives believe this was an isolated incident contained within the household."

The Santa Monica Police Department did not issue a statement in connection with the autopsy report's release.

A career on the world's stages

Jubilant Sykes performed at Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera, the Kennedy Center and the Hollywood Bowl over a career spanning opera, gospel and concert productions. His 2009 recording of Leonard Bernstein's "Mass" with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra earned a Grammy nomination for Best Classical Album at the 2010 Grammy Awards.

Micah Sykes was the only one of Jubilant Sykes' three children living at the home at the time of the killing. Neighbors told the New York Post he spent most of his time in the garage and sometimes blasted loud music.

Anyone with information can contact the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491.