Daniel Sikkema, 56, has been sentenced to life in prison for orchestrating the murder of his estranged husband, wealthy Manhattan art dealer Brent Sikkema, 77. A federal jury found Daniel Sikkema guilty of hiring a hitman to carry out the killing at the gallerist's vacation home in Brazil in 2024.
Judge Edgardo Ramos characterized the crime as a "tale as old as time," referencing the bitter divorce and custody battle between the couple that preceded the murder. During the trial, jurors heard evidence that Daniel Sikkema funneled approximately $9,000 to Alejandro Triana Prevez, the couple's former security guard, before and after the attack. Prevez reportedly stabbed Brent Sikkema 18 times in the face, chest, and throat.
Manahttan U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald stated that the life sentence "holds Daniel Sikkema accountable for a cold, calculated murder-for-hire plot." McDonald added that Daniel Sikkema "manipulated friends, family, and employees to execute a killing driven by greed" and demonstrated a "profound disregard for human life."
Brent Sikkema was a prominent figure in the New York art community, representing artists such as Kara Walker and Vik Muniz through his gallery, Sikkema Jenkins & Co. His ex-husband, Daniel Sikkema, maintained his innocence and plans to appeal the conviction on murder-for-hire and conspiracy charges. His lawyer argued at trial that the killing was a robbery, not a murder-for-hire plot.
Alejandro Triana Prevez was arrested in Rio de Janeiro in connection with the murder and is awaiting a separate trial.