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Topics: California, Crime, Police, US News
Liv Bridge
Topics: California, Crime, Police, US News
A Grammy-nominated opera singer has tragically died after cops found him at home with fatal stab wounds.
On Monday (December 8), police were called to a home address in Santa Monica, California, to reports of an assault.
Santa Monica Police Department confirmed there were called to a property in the 1700 block of Delaware Avenue around 9:20pm following a 911 call of an assault in progress. It has since been confirmed classical and gospel singer Jubilant Sykes has tragically passed away from injuries sustained in the suspected stabbing.
Now, local law enforcement have revealed they found Jubilant suffering critical wounds consistent with a stabbing. The fire service then pronounced the victim as dead at the scene.
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Lt. Erika Aklufi explained: "Officers arrived and contacted the reporting party, who directed them into the home where they located an adult male with significant injuries."
In a statement, cops also confirmed the suspected assailant was found at the scene.
The force has since confirmed Jubilant's son, Micah Sykes, has been arrested on suspicion of murder with his bail set at $2 million. In a statement, the cops said the 31-year-old was 'found inside the residence and taken into custody without incident'.
A possible weapon has also been recovered from the scene. An investigation is now ongoing though Santa Monica Police Department said it will pass the case to prosecutors to decide if criminal charges will be brought.
Jubilant's neighbor and friend, Sammy Murphy, identified the singer as the victim while speaking to KTLA.
“I was born and raised in Santa Monica, so we were really pretty close out here,” Murphy said. “What a singer … good spirit, good-hearted person, beautiful family.”
Roger Kalia, Orchestra Santa Monica's music director, also said in a statement: "Jubilant was a true inspiration—his artistry, generosity, and kindness touched countless lives."
The tragic news comes as the renowned baritone opera singer, who performed with orchestras and across major venues around the world, including Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall amongst others, had been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Classical Album category for his performance as Celebrant on Leonard Bernstein's Mass, a piece of musical theatre, in 2009.
The Los Angeles star had told NPR that singing to him was 'like breathing'.
"It's an extension of me," he told the outlet in 2022. "I don't think of it as extraordinary. It's my passion."
According to The Mirror, he also played the part of Jake in the 1990 Metropolitan Opera production of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess and worked as an artistic advisor for Orchestra Santa Monica, where he sang and narrated performances for the organization.