The murder of Brent Sikkema, a celebrated New York gallerist, was a transnational saga of betrayal, financial intrigue, and legal complexity. What began as a bitter divorce devolved into a murder-for-hire plot, culminating in a case that now spans multiple countries and judicial systems.
The Life and Legacy of Brent Sikkema
Brent Sikkema was more than a dealer of fine art—he was a cultural architect. As co-founder of Sikkema Jenkins & Co., a Manhattan gallery known for promoting artists tackling social justice and identity, he nurtured careers that challenged the status quo. Over five decades, his collaborations with luminaries like Kara Walker and Vik Muniz cemented his reputation as a visionary who elevated marginalised voices. His gallery was not just a space for exhibitions but a forum for discourse, a belief in art’s ability to effect societal change.
Yet, while his professional life flourished, his personal life unravelled. His marriage to Daniel Garcia Carrera (later known as Daniel Sikkema), a Cuban-American man 21 years his junior, was once a portrait of modern domesticity. They shared a biological son, via a surrogate mother in California, aged 12 at the time of Brent’s death, and for a decade, they maintained the appearance of a stable union. But fractures emerged when Daniel proposed an open marriage, an idea Brent reportedly resisted. By 2022, the couple’s relationship had deteriorated into a contentious legal battle over assets, custody, and accusations of financial misconduct. Brent revised his will, cutting Daniel out entirely. What followed was a descent into a crime that would expose the dark undercurrents of power, love, and retribution.
A Brutal Crime in Rio de Janeiro
On the morning of January 15, 2024, Brent Sikkema’s lawyer, Simone Nunes, arrived at his Jardim Botânico townhouse after failing to reach him. Inside, she found the 75-year-old gallerist’s lifeless body—stabbed 18 times, his face and chest bearing the brunt of the attack. Post-mortem reports detailed a scene of calculated violence, compounded by the theft of $3,000.
Security footage would soon provide a crucial lead. At 3:42 AM, a man entered the premises; 14 minutes later, he exited. His name was Alejandro Triana Prevez, a 30-year-old Cuban national. The suspect fled to Minas Gerais but was apprehended at a petrol station near Uberaba, carrying $40,000 in mixed currencies. His initial defence—drunken amnesia—crumbled under scrutiny. Eventually, he confessed: the killing was a contract job, allegedly arranged by none other than Daniel Sikkema for a promised $200,000 payout.
Further investigation uncovered damning physical and digital evidence linking Prevez to the crime. Police recovered the knife allegedly used to kill Sikkema shortly after his death. Blood evidence was found on the bench of Prevez’s car, and sneakers recovered from his home matched those seen in the surveillance video. Police also obtained Prevez’s mobile phone, which contained pictures taken at Sikkema’s Rio home in August, including a selfie in the kitchen and a picture of the safe in the bedroom. Additionally, financial records pointed to a clear transactional link: Western Union transfer receipts confirmed payments from Daniel Sikkema to Prevez, while a DHL receipt, posted by Pedro Luis Mainer in Queens, New York, was linked to an account belonging to Daniel. Finally, evidence retrieved from Brent Sikkema’s laptop revealed crucial details about the long-standing disputes between Brent and Daniel, further solidifying the case against the accused.
The Plot Unravels
Brazilian authorities swiftly classified the murder as premeditated and brutal. Their investigation led them not only to Prevez but to a network of intermediaries facilitating payments from Daniel to Prevez and his associates in Cuba. The money trail was deliberately obscured, routed through stolen identities and offshore accounts. Evidence suggested that the plot was set in motion in mid-2023, a time when Daniel and Brent were locked in a vicious divorce and custody dispute.
Legal documents later revealed that Daniel had demanded $6 million from Brent alongside full custody of their son—a demand Brent staunchly refused. The financial battle grew uglier, with allegations that Daniel siphoned $200,000 from Brent’s accounts and even fabricated criminal accusations against him. When Brent’s legal maneuvers successfully disinherited him, prosecutors allege, Daniel turned to more desperate measures.
Investigators later uncovered that Prevez was not a random hire—he had a prior connection to the Sikkemas. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when Brent and Daniel resided in Cuba, Prevez had worked as their bodyguard, granting him intimate knowledge of their routines and security vulnerabilities. This relationship faded after the couple left Cuba, but in 2023, contact between Prevez and Daniel resumed.
Phone records showed calls between them, traced to a device first activated in August 2023. This renewed communication coincided with the height of the Sikkemas’ legal battles, raising suspicions that Daniel had begun orchestrating the murder plan months in advance. Authorities believe these conversations played a pivotal role in the unfolding conspiracy.
Investigators later uncovered that Prevez was not a random hire—he had a prior connection to the Sikkemas. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when Brent and Daniel resided in Cuba, Prevez had worked as their bodyguard, granting him intimate knowledge of their routines and security vulnerabilities. This relationship faded after the couple left Cuba, but in 2023, contact between Prevez and Daniel resumed.
Phone records showed calls between them, traced to a device first activated in August 2023. This renewed communication coincided with the height of the Sikkemas’ legal battles, raising suspicions that Daniel had begun orchestrating the murder plan months in advance. Authorities believe these conversations played a pivotal role in the unfolding conspiracy.
Legal Fallout: A Trial in Two Nations
On March 21, 2024, U.S. authorities arrested Daniel Sikkema in New York, charging him with passport fraud—a preliminary move in what would become a broader criminal case. By July, the FBI and Brazilian police were working in tandem, piecing together a web of phone records, financial transactions, and communications linking Daniel to the murder.
The case took a decisive turn on February 11, 2025, when the U.S. Attorney’s Office unsealed a four-count indictment against Daniel Sikkema, including charges of murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit murder abroad. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
His defense team, led by veteran attorney Richard Levitt, remains adamant about his innocence. “Mr. Sikkema looks forward to vindication at trial,” Levitt stated, arguing that the prosecution’s case rests on coerced testimony from Prevez. However, the credibility of Prevez’s confession remains a point of contention, especially after his original legal counsel resigned, citing “external influences” and concerns over clandestine communications between him and Daniel.
A Crime That Shook the Art World
Brent Sikkema’s death sent ripples through the art community. Colleagues and artists mourned the loss of a man they described as a “tireless advocate” for underrepresented voices. In the wake of his murder, his gallery—renamed Sikkema Malloy Jenkins—remains operational, a testament to his enduring legacy.
Beyond the art world, the case has raised broader concerns about the prosecution of transnational crimes. The collaboration between Brazilian and US authorities has set a precedent, yet Daniel’s prolonged presence in New York highlights the jurisdictional roadblocks that continue to plague international justice.
The Long Shadow of Betrayal
At its core, the murder of Brent Sikkema is a story of greed, power, and vengeance—a reminder that behind the façade of high society and artistic brilliance, human nature remains susceptible to its darkest impulses. Starting with the classic story of the old man who wanted a young companion.
As Daniel Sikkema awaits trial, one question lingers: was this a crime born out of desperation, or a calculated act of retribution? Whatever the answer, it is a case that will haunt both the art world and the legal system for years to come.
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This report is based on federal indictments, Brazilian police documents, and firsthand accounts from legal proceedings. All information has been corroborated across multiple sources to ensure accuracy.
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