Jury Convicts Daniel Sikkema of Murder-for-Hire in Brent Sikkema’s Killing

On May 22, 2026 a Manhattan federal jury found Daniel Sikkema, 55, guilty of murder-for-hire conspiracy, murder-for-hire resulting in death, and conspiracy to murder abroad. The verdict concerns the stabbing of Brent Sikkema, 75, an art dealer discovered with 18 wounds in his Rio de Janeiro townhouse on Jan 14, 2024. Sikkema faces life imprisonment.

Estranged husband convicted of murder-for-hire in killing of art dealer in BrazilUsNews and World ReportHyperallergicNew York Post

Brent Sikkema co-founded the gallery now called Sikkema Malloy Jenkins, representing artists such as Kara Walker, Vik Muniz and Arturo Herrera, and owned a multimillion-dollar estate. Their divorce was acrimonious, involving financial and custody disputes over their teenage son. Prosecutors say Daniel Sikkema, a U.S.–Cuban citizen, hired a hitman to avoid a settlement.

Estranged husband convicted of murder-for-hire in killing of art dealer in Brazil

Jan 14 2024 – Brent Sikkema stabbed in Rio; Jan 18 2024 – Brazilian police arrest Alejandro Triana Prevez; Apr 2024 – Daniel Sikkema arrested in Manhattan; May 2024–May 2026 – Five-day trial; May 22 2026 – Jury returns guilty verdict.

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Prosecutors presented burner-phone logs linking Daniel Sikkema to Alejandro Triana Prevez, a selfie of Prevez in Sikkema’s kitchen, and wire transfers of $9,000–$10,000 around the murder. Voice-note recordings attributed to Sikkema voiced a wish for Brent’s death. Defense argued the payments were for services Prevez performed for the couple in Cuba.

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U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton called the killing “senseless, cold-blooded” and said the verdict offers “a meaningful measure of justice.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Pavlis noted Sikkema funneled over $10,000 to the hitman and boasted he would profit more from his spouse’s death than from a divorce. Defense attorney Florian Miedel described the case as built on circumstantial evidence and announced an appeal.

UsNews and World Report

The defense highlighted the lack of forensic evidence linking Sikkema to the stabbing and suggested the $9,000–$10,000 payments could be debt repayment. Miedel questioned the authenticity of the voice-note recordings, arguing they might be fabricated. Critics also noted reliance on burner-phone metadata without a written murder contract.

UsNews and World Report

Sources list Brent Sikkema’s age as 75 and 77. Reported payments to Prevez range from “over $10,000” to “roughly $9,000.” Prevez’s motive—financial desperation or coercion by Sikkema—remains unclear.

Hyperallergic

• “Amid contentious divorce proceedings with his then-husband, Daniel Sikkema used a burner phone line to callously order the killing of his husband,” — Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney

Estranged husband convicted of murder-for-hire in killing of art dealer in Brazil

• “The tragedy of Brent Sikkema’s death now has a meaningful measure of justice as a unanimous jury of New Yorkers has held Daniel Sikkema accountable for this senseless, cold-blooded murder,” — Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney

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• “Life is messy. The truth is not always obvious,” — Florian Miedel, defense attorney for Daniel Sikkema

Estranged husband convicted of murder-for-hire in killing of art dealer in Brazil

• “Well, he can take all the time he wants. Let’s see if … instead of getting divorced, I end up a widower, which would suit me much better.” — Daniel Sikkema, voice note

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