Daniel Sikkema Guilty in Murder-for-Hire of Art Dealer Brent Sikkema

A federal jury convicted Daniel Sikkema for orchestrating the murder of his estranged husband, New York art dealer Brent Sikkema. The 75-year-old gallerist was stabbed 18 times in his Rio de Janeiro townhouse on January 14, 2024. Alejandro Triana Prevez, a Cuban security guard, was arrested four days later and awaits trial; his lawyer stated Prevez believes the verdict delivered justice. Daniel Sikkema was arrested in Manhattan in March 2024 on passport fraud and later charged with conspiracy to commit murder for hire. During the trial, prosecutors cited a December 2023 voice note where Daniel allegedly said he would prefer to become a widower. Evidence included a selfie Prevez took in Sikkema's kitchen and phone calls via a burner phone. The defense acknowledged Daniel sent Prevez roughly $9,000 but claimed it was for work in Cuba. Brent Sikkema co-founded Sikkema Jenkins Gallery (now Sikkema Malloy Jenkins) in the early 1990s and represented artists including Kara Walker, Sheila Hicks, and Vik Muniz. US Attorney Jay Clayton stated the verdict provides meaningful justice.