The executor of a murdered Chelsea artwork supplier’s property is suing the sufferer’s estranged partner, accusing him of being the grasping “mastermind” behind the slaying.
Brent Sikkema was fatally stabbed within the bed room of his winter dwelling in Rio de Janeiro in January 2024 by an intruder — and Brazilian authorities shortly pinned the blame on Sikkema’s ex, former male prostitute Daniel Garcia Carrera.
Carrera killed Sikkema for the cash and for full custody of their son, investigators imagine.
Brazilian authorities have stated Carrera allegedly paid $200,000 to have his partner murdered.
The motive was chilly onerous money, in line with legal professional James T.H. Deaver, who’s serving as executor of Brent Sikkema’s property and is suing to make sure any funds from the property go to Sikkema’s son — not his ex.
As a surviving partner, Carrera, 54, would obtain extra money “than he would seemingly obtain in a divorce settlement,” in line with the Manhattan Supreme Courtroom lawsuit.
The couple, who married in 2013 and share custody of a 14-year-old son, had been going by a contentious divorce after the a lot youthful Carrera requested if they may have an open marriage in 2019.
However Sikkema, 75, who rubbed elbows with Michelle Obama in 2016, disagreed and ultimately disinherited his husband in Might 2022 from his roughly $4 million property.
Sikkema, who owned the Sikkema Jenkins Gallery in Chelsea the place he repped artists corresponding to painter Kara Walker and photographer Vik Muniz, feared Carrera would bodily hurt him as their relationship broke down, Deaver contended within the authorized submitting.
Issues shortly went from unhealthy to worse.
Carrera allegedly tried to get full custody of the son by complaining in 2022 about Sikkema to town Administration for Kids’s Providers, and Household Courtroom, each of which denied his requests.
He additionally acquired Sikkema arrested by claiming Brent “deliberate to commit mass homicide at John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport,” in line with the lawsuit.
Sikkema was shortly launched with out costs.
The divorce was ongoing when Cuban nationwide Alejandro Triana Prévez allegedly entered Sikkema’s townhouse on Jan. 15, 2024, in line with authorities and court docket papers.
Carrera had as soon as employed Prevez as a safety guard of their native Cuba.
Sikkema struggled together with his killer, Deaver stated in court docket papers, citing a Brazilian knowledgeable who examined the crime scene.
“There was an preliminary altercation between Brent and Prevez close to the door of the upstairs bed room, at which era Brent suffered wounds to his physique whereas preventing for his life,” Deaver stated within the submitting.
Sikkema was stabbed a complete of 18 instances within the face and chest.
Prevez allegedly thought-about killing Sikkema with a crossbow however determined towards it.
Carrera has been underneath home arrest in his Kips Bay dwelling since April, when federal prosecutors accused him of mendacity on a passport software for the son.
Deaver will increase the boy, recognized solely as L.S., if Carrera is discovered responsible in Brazil, in line with court docket papers.
He faces 12 to 40 years in jail if convicted.
Carrera has been taking part within the Brazilian legal case remotely and has refused to testify, in line with the New York submitting.
Deaver is searching for unspecified damages on behalf of L.S. An legal professional for Carrera stated he hadn’t seen the wrongful dying motion, and declined remark.
