Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – The investigation into the tragic death of prominent New York art dealer Brent Sikkema took a significant turn this week as Brazilian police apprehended a 30-year-old Cuban man named Alejandro Triana Trevez in connection with the case.
Sikkema, 75, was found deceased in his Rio de Janeiro apartment on Monday, bearing stab wounds that sent shockwaves through the New York art community. His gallery, Sikkema Jenkins & Co., holds a distinguished reputation in the art world.
The arrest of Trevez, who was found in Rio de Janeiro driving a car borrowed from a friend in São Paulo, adds a layer of intrigue to the ongoing investigation. Local authorities discovered money and a gold chain, both belonging to Sikkema, inside the vehicle. It is suspected that Trevez used some of the stolen funds to purchase a car upon returning to São Paulo.
While the precise circumstances surrounding Sikkema’s demise remain shrouded in mystery, Brazilian media outlets have delved into the personal aspects of his life. Folha de São Paulo published a report highlighting Sikkema’s ongoing divorce proceedings. Anonymous sources in New York revealed that Sikkema’s Cuban husband sought a $6 million settlement and restricted his access to their 12-year-old son.
Security footage obtained from Sikkema’s apartment complex captured a man entering and leaving the premises with ease on Sunday morning, shortly before the discovery of Sikkema’s body. The individual, donning gloves despite the warm Brazilian weather, has become a focal point of speculation and analysis.
Sikkema Jenkins & Co. has refrained from commenting on the arrest and the personal revelations surrounding Sikkema’s life.