Prominent US art dealer, Brent Sikkema, faces arrest following his death

Brazilian authorities have arrested a man suspected of killing American art dealer Brent Sikkema. The 75-year-old was found dead in his apartment in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, with multiple stab wounds. The suspect, identified as Alejandro Triana Trevez, was captured at a petrol station in the neighboring state of Minas Gerais. Local media reports suggest Trevez is a Cuban national and that he allegedly stole $3,000 from Sikkema's home. Police reveal that the suspect was in São Paulo prior to the murder and returned there before attempting to flee. He was apprehended between the cities of Uberaba and Uberlandia on Thursday. Authorities have a 30-day prison warrant against Trevez, believing him to be the person seen on surveillance footage near Sikkema's residence around the time of the crime. Investigators suspect that Sikkema may have known his killer, describing the act as premeditated and cruel. According to reports, Sikkema's body was discovered by his friend and lawyer, who became worried after not hearing from him. The art dealer typically visited Rio de Janeiro three times a year and was scheduled to return to the US the following day. Sikkema had founded the prominent art gallery Sikkema Jenkins & Co in New York City and had a long and influential career in the art world spanning over five decades. His death has deeply saddened and shocked the art community. The gallery expressed its grief over the tragic loss and pledged to carry on in Sikkema's spirit. Friends and colleagues remember him as someone who championed artists exploring issues of identity and experimental forms.