The Manhattan dealer Brent Sikkema (left) died in Rio de Janeiro on 15 January; security footage showed a suspect in Sikkema's murder (right) leaving his building Sikkema: Photo by Joe Schildhorn / BFA.com; security footage: Courtesy Gabriel Security Company
A suspect has been arrested in the violent killing of New York dealer Brent Sikkema in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian police said Thursday (18 January). Police identified the suspect as Alejandro Triana Trevez, a national of Cuba, according to Rio newspaper O Globo.
Trevez is the man captured in security camera footage earlier this week, according to police, who said he took $3,000 from Sikkema's home in the high-end Jardim Botânico neighbourhood after the killing. According to the investigation, the suspect traveled from São Paulo to Rio, where he killed Sikkema, then fled to Minas, a bordering state. He was trying to escape Minas when he was arrested at a gas station, O Globo reported. A state police homicide detective told CBN Rio the force is investigating theft leading to homicide, according to the Associated Press.
Sikkema, who founded the successful New York gallery now known as Sikkema Jenkins & Co, was found dead earlier this week with 18 stab wounds. He was 75. Sikkema Jenkins & Co has worked with artists including Sheila Hicks, Vik Muniz, Kara Walker, Maria Nepomuceno and Louis Fratino, and Jeffrey Gibson, who will represent the US at this year’s Venice Biennale.
The gallery confirmed Sikkema’s death earlier this week, writing in a statement that the staff “grieves this tremendous loss and will continue on in his spirit”.
