RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Alejandro Triana Prevez confessed to the murder of New York art dealer Brent Sikkema, alleging that Sikkema’s ex-husband, Daniel Sikkema, offered $200,000 for the killing, according to Brazilian authorities. The case on the art dealer’s murder has been closed by Brazilian authorities, who are seeking to arrest Daniel Sikkema for his involvement, describing him as the “intellectual and main author” of the crime. This process involves communications with the United States Department of Justice.
Triana Prevez claimed that Daniel Sikkema was dissatisfied with the divorce settlement and accused Brent of excessive spending on drugs, parties, and prostitutes. This assertion seems to confirm an earlier report in the Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo, which indicated that Brent Sikkema was troubled by his ex-husband’s behavior following the divorce and that Daniel had denied Brent visitation rights for their son.
Triana Prevez also alleged that he was able to enter Brent’s home because Daniel had mailed him a key. Sikkema was found dead on January 15, having suffered multiple stab wounds around his face and chest. Video surveillance outside of Sikkema’s home showed Triana Prevez entering the home on January 14 at 3:43 a.m. and leaving just four minutes later.
Initially, Triana Prevez denied involvement in the murder but later confessed, alleging that the crime was instigated by a third party. Sikkema, a well-respected art dealer, was known globally and in New York City. His gallery, Sikkema Jenkins & Co., represents Jeffrey Gibson, who will be featured in the United States Pavilion in the forthcoming Venice Biennale.