Daniel Sikkema, a New York man, has been indicted for allegedly hiring someone to murder his estranged husband, Brent Sikkema, a wealthy art dealer in Brazil. Brent was found dead in his Rio home with 18 stab wounds in January 2024. Daniel was charged with murder-for-hire resulting in death, murder-for-hire conspiracy, conspiracy to murder, maim, and commit passport fraud. The indictment alleges that Daniel hired a hitman, paid concealed payments, and communicated with the hitman following the murder. The hitman, identified as Alejandro Triana Trevez, was arrested by Brazilian law enforcement for the murder. Daniel pleaded not guilty to the charges and faces a mandatory penalty of life in prison or death if convicted. Brent Sikkema was the co-owner of a well-known art gallery in Manhattan. The gallery was originally founded in 1991 by Brent as Wooster Gardens and later changed its name to Sikkema Malloy Jenkins. Daniel Sikkema is a U.S. and Cuban citizen, and had been previously charged with passport fraud. U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon stated that the office will seek justice against those who murder U.S. citizens, whether at home or abroad. Authorities in Brazil said Trevez allegedly took $3,000 from Sikkema’s home. An attorney for Daniel Sikkema did not respond to a request for comment.
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