Man sentenced to life for plotting death of art dealer husband
Daniel Sikkema, 56, received a life sentence Wednesday for orchestrating the murder of his estranged husband, Brent Sikkema, 77, a prominent Manhattan art dealer. The sentence followed a jury’s swift guilty verdict on charges of murder-for-hire and conspiracy. The crime occurred in 2024 at Brent Sikkema’s vacation home in Rio de Janeiro during a contentious divorce and custody dispute involving their young son.
Judge Edgardo Ramos described the case as a “tale as old as time,” acknowledging a possible history of love between the couple while condemning Sikkema’s actions. The court heard evidence that Sikkema paid Alejandro Triana Prevez, a former security guard, approximately $9,000 to carry out the killing. Prevez entered Brent Sikkema’s bedroom and inflicted 18 stab wounds.
“This was not a close case,” Judge Ramos stated. “He made it happen.”
Manhattan US Attorney Jamie McDonald emphasized the calculated nature of Sikkema’s plan, stating it was “driven by greed” and demonstrated “a profound disregard for human life and the rule of law.”
Brent Sikkema was the co-owner of Sikkema Jenkins & Co., a Chelsea gallery representing artists like Kara Walker and Vik Muniz. His lawyer, Richard Levitt, confirmed that Daniel Sikkema intends to appeal the conviction, maintaining his innocence. Levitt previously argued that the killing was motivated by robbery, though this defense was unsuccessful.
Alejandro Triana Prevez remains in custody in Rio de Janeiro, awaiting a separate trial related to the art dealer’s death.
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“Twisted gigilo gets life in prison for killing NYC art-dealer hubby with murder-for-hire plot”
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