Full Breakdown
Murder-for-Hire Trial of Daniel Sikkema Begins Over Stabbing Death of NYC Art Dealer Brent Sikkema
5/14/2026, 12:29:55 AM
Trial Overview: Alleged Murder-for-Hire Plot
On May 12, 2026 a Manhattan federal jury began the murder-for-hire trial of Daniel Sikkema. Prosecutors allege he arranged the January 2024 stabbing of his estranged husband, 75-year-old art dealer Brent Sikkema, who was found with 18 knife wounds in his Rio de Janeiro townhouse. The alleged hitman, Cuban national Alejandro Triana Prevez, was arrested in Brazil and remains jailed. Sikkema, a U.S. and Cuban citizen, was detained in April 2024 and faces charges of murder-for-hire and passport fraud.
Background: Divorce and Financial Dispute
Brent and Daniel Sikkema separated in 2022 and entered a contentious divorce. Court filings show Daniel sought $8 million, while a settlement could have yielded $6 million, a disparity prosecutors cite as motive.
Timeline of Key Events
2022 – separation. Dec 2023 – Angela Liriano recorded a call where Daniel said he hoped Brent would die. Jan 2024 – Brent was stabbed 18 times in Rio. Apr 2024 – Daniel arrested in New York; alleged hitman detained in Brazil. May 12, 2026 – trial began.
Evidence and Alleged Financial Motive
Prosecutors presented digital and financial records showing Sikkema transferred over $10,000 to Prevez, promising further payments. Witnesses said Sikkema bragged he would profit more from Brent’s death than from a divorce. Voice recordings include Sikkema stating, “It won’t be over until this man passes away.” Brent’s estate was valued in the multimillion-dollar range.
Official Statements
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Pavlis said the government will prove Sikkema orchestrated the killing to secure a larger payout, funneling money to the hitman and covering his tracks. Defense lawyer Florian Miedel argued no direct evidence links Sikkema to the hiring, the hitman will not testify, and there is no proof Sikkema knew he would be financially better off as a widower. Miedel noted the messy divorce and Sikkema’s responsibility to his 13-year-old son.
Criticism and Opposition
Miedel criticized the prosecution’s reliance on “assumptions, suggestions, [and] inferences” from circumstantial evidence, noting no direct eyewitness or confession.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Sources differ on the payment to Prevez—one cites “over $10,000,” another $5,000. The defendant’s age is listed as 55, 54, and “mid-50s.” His name appears as Daniel Sikkema and Daniel Carrera Sikkema. No testimony from Prevez has been offered, leaving a gap in direct corroboration.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He said: ‘Oh, well I truly hope that he’s dead, that he dies,'” — Angela Liriano, retired pharmacist
- “After his husband was brutally killed, the defendant tried to cover his tracks and cash in,” — Nicholas Pavlis, Assistant U.S. Attorney
- “Life is messy. The truth is not always obvious,” — Florian Miedel, defense attorney
- “‘Six million is not enough — I want $8 million.’” — Angela Liriano, quoting Sikkema’s demand
What’s Next
The jury will deliberate in the coming weeks. A verdict will decide if Sikkema receives a life sentence for murder-for-hire and any additional penalties for passport fraud. Federal investigators say the probe into financial transfers continues.
