US court sentences Daniel Sikkema to life for husband’s murder
The sentence follows convictions for murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country after a New York trial.
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A US federal court sentenced Daniel Sikkema to life in prison for his role in the murder of his estranged husband, New York art dealer Brent Sikkema. The court for the Southern District of New York announced the sentence on 4 November 2026, ARTnews said.
A jury convicted Daniel Sikkema on 22 May after a two-week trial, following the defense closing argument, the prosecution’s rebuttal and Judge Ramos’s final instructions. The convictions covered murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country.
The plot and the pending Brazilian case
Brent Sikkema was murdered in Rio de Janeiro on 14 January 2024. Daniel Sikkema hired Alejandro Prevez to carry out the murder and made 11 payments in arranging it. Court files say Daniel secretly sent Prevez $5,000 for the murder shortly after Brent’s death.
US Attorney Jamie McDonald said the plot was calculated and driven by greed and that Daniel Sikkema had manipulated others for months. McDonald said the life sentence held him accountable and reflected the seriousness of the crime.
Brent Sikkema founded his gallery in 1991. It became known for its early support of artists including Kara Walker, Vik Muniz, Jeffrey Gibson and Sheila Hicks. After his death, Sikkema Jenkins & Co. was renamed Sikkema Malloy Jenkins.
Daniel Sikkema’s lawyer indicated an intention to appeal in an October 15 letter, acknowledging that life imprisonment was mandatory but asking for fairness in the presentence report and sentencing remarks, Inner City Press said. Brazilian authorities arrested Prevez on 18 January 2024; his criminal case remains pending in Brazil.
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