Alejandro Prevez, the man suspected of killing Brent Sikkema, has testified that the gallerist’s ex-husband paid him $200,000 to commit the murder. His latest testimony has reportedly prompted authorities to seek the arrest of Daniel Sikkema.
Prevez, 30, had previously denied killing Sikkema when questioned by police while his lawyers suggested that the slaying was “crime of command.” Later, Prevez’s family and lawyers pointed fingers at Daniel Sikkema, suggesting the suspect was manipulated by the art dealer’s ex-husband. Artnet News has reached out to a phone number for Daniel Sikkema but did not receive a response by press time.
The apparent confession and change in testimony was first reported by the Folha de São Paulo newspaper and confirmed by the broadcaster Globo TV. Prevez’s lawyer Greg Andrade declined to comment to Artnet News.
Prevez testified that Daniel Sikkema promised to pay him the large sum and had even sent some money through an international money transfer company, Folha de São Paulo reported. On the night of the murder, January 15, Prevez allegedly used a copy of a key Daniel Sikkema had given him and entered the home in Rio de Janeiro without resistance. Surveillance footage provided by the firm Gabriel Security to Artnet News showed Prevez outside the residence.
Prevez reportedly testified that Daniel Sikkema was unhappy with the amount of alimony allotted to him in the couple’s divorce, which he used to spend on sex workers and drugs.
State prosecutors in Rio de Janeiro are now seeking the arrest of Daniel Sikkema, Globo TV reported, which was confirmed by the Daily Mail. Police in Rio did not respond to a request for comment.
A police spokesperson confirmed to Daily Mail that the Brazilian authorities had concluded their investigation and that Daniel Sikkema had been identified as “intellectual and main author interested in crime.”
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