Opera singer Jubilant Sykes’ autopsy report has revealed new details about the singer’s untimely death at the alleged hands of his son.
According to Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner documents exclusively obtained by Us on Tuesday, July 21, Skyes’ cause of death was “multiple stab wounds” by a knife — a recorded 78. His death was deemed “homicide.” The alleged murder took place inside the musician’s Los Angeles home on December 8, 2025, followed by his son Micah Sykes’ subsequent arrest.
Jubilant was 71 years old.
The report also included details from Jubilant’s wife, Cecelia Sykes, who called the Santa Monica Police Department and alleged that “her son, who has a documented history of mental illness, had stabbed and killed” her husband.
“The wife was in the shower when she heard the decedent yell out for her to call 9-1-1,” the report stated. “When she came out of the shower, she saw their adult son standing over [Jubilant] stabbing him with an apparent artifactual sharp edge weapon.”
A medical summary within the documents revealed that “at least 73 total wounds” were found, with 68 labeled “sharp force” and five labeled “blunt force.”
Additionally, the apparent weapons used in the incident, which were located by police next to Jubilant’s body, were “a 10-pound dumbbell containing apparent blood stains” and “a curved knife with the blade measuring approximately 9 inches long and 2 inches wide.”
A toxicology report within the documents stated that no illicit drugs or prescribed medications were found, and Jubilant was pronounced dead by officials at the scene.
Authorities later arrested Micah, 32, and booked him on suspicion he caused his father’s death. Neighbors told KTLA that Micah had experienced mental health issues and homelessness in the past in the wake of the singer’s passing.
Santa Monica police Lt. Lewis Gilmour confirmed to KABC at the time authorities did learn of Micah’s “mental illness” history. “However, at this point, it’s unclear what circumstances led up [to the incident, and] if there was any altercation or argument,” Gilmour told the outlet. “We’re investigating that angle right now.”
Micah was scheduled to be arraigned on June 4, however local news outlets recently reported that it was pushed back to Thursday, August 6.
USA Today reported in December last year that Micah was being held in custody with no bail after Los Angeles County prosecutors requested to change the previous $4 million bail amount posted. According to ABC7, who also reported on the bail adjustment, Deputy District Attorney Cesar Rodriguez told a judge that Micah was not “being appropriately medicated for a schizophrenia diagnosis.”
Jubilant was a Grammy award-nominated baritone who performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington and the Barbican Center in London.
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