Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — Federal prosecutors in the United States have charged Daniel Sikkema, 54, from New York, with orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot that led to the death of his estranged husband, a prominent art dealer from New York City. The indictment, announced Tuesday, includes charges of murder conspiracy and passport fraud, stemming from a case that has captured global attention due to its cross-continental ties and the involvement of the art world.
The victim, 75-year-old Brent Sikkema, was found murdered in January 2024 at his townhouse in Rio de Janeiro—a city he frequented often. Brent, a noted figure in the Manhattan art scene, co-owned Sikkema Jenkins & Co., a gallery celebrated for representing leading contemporary artists like Jeffrey Gibson and Kara Walker.
According to legal documents, Daniel Sikkema allegedly facilitated the murder amidst a tumultuous divorce, funneling multiple payments to a Cuban national, Alejandro Triana Trevez, a former bodyguard turned accused hitman. Trevez was apprehended by Rio state police while hiding out at a gas station in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, after the murder.
Details from the indictment suggest that from mid-2023 to January 2024, Daniel Sikkema used a stolen identity and possibly other intermediaries to send money to Trevez and his romantic partner in Cuba, orchestrating the payments to mask his own involvement in the plot.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge, James E. Dennehy, emphasized the calculated nature of the crime, stating that the accused went to great lengths to hide his role in what he described as a “callous plan.” Meanwhile, Daniel Sikkema’s attorney, Richard Levitt, maintains his client’s innocence and expressed confidence that the upcoming trial will vindicate Sikkema.
The art dealer, Brent Sikkema, began his illustrious career in 1971 at the Visual Studies Workshop in Rochester, New York, rising to prominence as director of exhibitions before opening his first gallery in Boston in 1976. His work was marked by a distinctive eye for talent and a penchant for the unconventional, characteristics that earned him respect and admiration in the art community.
Brent was also known for his deep connections to Brazil and Cuba, which he described in various social media posts as his favorite destinations due to their vibrant cultures and personal significance. He once described himself as a “chaos kind of guy,” highlighting his adventurous spirit and love for dynamic environments.
Friends and colleagues remember Brent Sikkema not only for his artistic vision but also for his unique approach to gallery exhibitions. Yancey Richardson, another gallery owner and longtime friend, praised Brent for his innovative spirit. “He wasn’t just mounting one painting show after another,” Richardson reflected following Brent Sikkema’s untimely death.
At the heart of this international legal drama is a stark reminder of the complexities and dangers that can lurk behind public personas and successful careers. As Daniel Sikkema prepares to face trial, the art world and international communities alike await answers in a case that has shaken a tight-knit industry to its core. If convicted, Daniel Sikkema faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment or the death penalty, a sobering conclusion to a tale of betrayal and murder.