Daniel Sikkema, the estranged spouse of a notable New York City art dealer, was found guilty of commissioning a hitman to murder him in Brazil. Sikkema, aged 55, now faces a life sentence. The victim, 75-year-old Brent Sikkema, was discovered stabbed in his Rio de Janeiro residence in January 2024.
In April 2024, authorities apprehended Daniel Sikkema, a dual citizen of Cuba and the U.S. residing in New York. A federal court in Manhattan convicted him on several charges, including participation in a murder-for-hire plot that resulted in death. In Brazil, the purported hitman remains incarcerated.
Amid contentious divorce proceedings with his then-husband, Daniel Sikkema used a burner phone line to callously order the killing of his husband,stated Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. He described the act as a senseless, cold-blooded murder, commending the verdict for delivering a measure of justice.
Florian Miedel, defense attorney for Daniel Sikkema, expressed disappointment with the verdict and announced plans to appeal. Daniel is staying strong and hopes to be vindicated in the end,
Miedel said.
Prosecutors highlighted Daniel Sikkema’s constant communication with the alleged assassin before and after the murder. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Pavlis disclosed to the jury that Sikkema had transferred over $10,000 to the individual, with promises of additional payment. At that time, Sikkema allegedly boasted about gaining more financially from his spouse’s demise than from a divorce. Brent and Daniel Sikkema had a teenage son together.
Pavlis stated, After his husband was brutally killed, the defendant tried to cover his tracks and cash in.
Miedel challenged the prosecution during the trial, claiming their case relied on circumstantial evidence and lacked proof of his client’s guilt. Life is messy. The truth is not always obvious,
Miedel remarked.
The Life and Legacy of Brent Sikkema
Brent Sikkema built a successful career, establishing a multimillion-dollar legacy and owning a contemporary art gallery in Manhattan, Sikkema Jenkins & Co., which has represented renowned international artists for nearly three decades. His career began in 1971 at the Visual Studies Workshop in Rochester, New York, where he served as director of exhibitions, and he opened his first gallery in Boston in 1976.
Known for his creative insights, Brent Sikkema self-identified as a chaos kind of guy and expressed a fondness for traveling to places like Brazil and Cuba. His friend Yancey Richardson noted, Brent had a terrific eye and thought outside of the box,
acknowledging his innovative approach to exhibitions.
In 2022, Sikkema described his apartment in Rio de Janeiro as an urban oasis, although he spent much of his time in New York. His vision and enthusiasm for art left an enduring impact on the industry.
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