Brazilian Police Seek Husband in Murder of Noted Art Dealer

Brazilian police investigating the murder of Brent Sikkema, a prominent New York art dealer who was found stabbed to death last month in his Rio de Janeiro apartment, are now seeking the arrest of his husband, Daniel Sikkema.

It was a shocking twist in a case that has captivated the art world. Brent Sikkema represented a number of leading contemporary artists, and his gallery was preparing to help one of them, Jeffrey Gibson, represent the United States this spring at the Venice Biennale, the most prestigious exhibition in the world.

A lawyer for Daniel Sikkema, Fabiana Marques, said that he was innocent and that he remained in New York, where he was “shocked” by the latest development.

When Brent Sikkema was found slain in Rio, investigators said that at least $40,000 had been stolen. After recovering surveillance footage that they said showed his former bodyguard, a 30-year-old man named Alejandro Triana Prevez, entering and exiting the home, they took Mr. Prevez into custody about 600 miles northwest of the city. (The police originally identified Mr. Prevez with the surname Trevez.)

A lawyer for Mr. Prevez, Gregorio Andrade, said that Mr. Prevez claims that Daniel Sikkema had offered him $200,000 to carry out the assassination. “He manipulated my client,” Mr. Andrade said.

The Sikkemas were married for nearly 15 years but have been locked in divorce proceedings since 2022, which included a fight over the custody terms of their son, who is now 13.