Logo

A son accused of butchering his own Grammy-nominated dad Jubilant Sykes on Monday night whined for his mom in court as new details emerged into the alleged killer’s history of mental illness.

Micah Sykes, 31, made his first appearance in front of a judge Thursday after allegedly fatally stabbing his father, a famous opera singer, at their posh Santa Monica home.

The son, at one point, interrupted the proceedings during which he was ordered by the judge to avoid contact with his mother Cecelia.


  Micah Sykes, 31, appears in a Los Angeles courtroom on December 11, 2025 Frederick M. Brown for New York Post Micah Sykes, 31, appears in a Los Angeles courtroom on December 11, 2025 Frederick M. Brown for New York Post

“I don’t see my mother here… this person is not telling the truth whatsoever,” Micah whined.

It was revealed in court that Micha’s mom, who goes by Cece, witnessed her son allegedly slaughter her husband.

Judge Theresa McGonigle issued a protective order Thursday stating Micah is not allowed to contact his mother, according to ABC 7.

It also emerged during the appearance that Micah has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was supposed to be “medicated” at the time of the murder, the report said.

It wasn’t immediately clear if the suspect was under-medicated or if he wasn’t taking the proper dosage.

The murder of Jubilant Sykes, 71, rattled the Santa Monica neighborhood. Police responded to a 911 call from Cece.

When the police arrived they found the famed baritone mortally wounded on the floor.


  Jubilant Sykes, a Grammy-nominated opera singer, was murdered at his home Monday. ullstein bild via Getty Images Jubilant Sykes, a Grammy-nominated opera singer, was murdered at his home Monday. ullstein bild via Getty Images

  Jubilant Sykes’ body being removed from his home on December 9, 2025 Jeremy Louwerse / New York Post Jubilant Sykes’ body being removed from his home on December 9, 2025 Jeremy Louwerse / New York Post

Micah lived with his parents, but spent most of his time in the garage and sometimes blasted loud music, a neighbor had previously told The Post. 

“He was a little weird,” the neighbor said of the son, who was the only one of Sykes’ three children living at the home.

“I had been warned that something like he was on drugs, but it was more like something mentally was not there,” he added. 

At one point, the neighbor gestured to the street.

“He was laying right there on the ground one night, sleeping,” they said. “Like something — something was not right. But he [Jubliant] even warned me about it.”

Micah’s arraignment was delayed until Feb. 11 at the defense’s request.

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy