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Art Dealer's Husband Convicted of Murder-for-Hire
25 May
Summary
- Estranged husband convicted for hiring hitman to kill art dealer.
- Victim found stabbed to death in his Rio de Janeiro townhouse.
- Defendant faces mandatory life sentence for murder-for-hire.
Daniel Sikkema, 55, was convicted in federal court in Manhattan for orchestrating the murder of his estranged husband, art dealer Brent Sikkema. Brent Sikkema, 75, was found fatally stabbed in his Rio de Janeiro townhouse in January 2024. Daniel Sikkema faces a mandatory life sentence for the murder-for-hire conspiracy, which resulted in death.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Daniel Sikkema used a burner phone to contact the alleged hitman, who was arrested in Brazil. Funds exceeding $10,000 were allegedly funneled to the hitman, with promises of more money. The defense argued the case relied on circumstantial evidence, stating there was no direct proof of guilt.
Brent Sikkema was a renowned figure in the art world, having amassed a significant estate and heading a prominent contemporary art gallery in Manhattan. He began his career in 1971 and opened his first gallery in Boston in 1976. He described himself as a "chaos kind of guy" and favored destinations like Brazil and Cuba.
