Less than a month after Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis was sentenced to 40 years to life for Tupac Shakur’s murder, his attorney Michael Sanft is found dead
A shocking turn.
Michael Sanft, the defense attorney who represented Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis during his high profile trial for the murder of Tupac Shakur, was found dead at his home on the morning of November 6, 2026. He was 55, according to Fox News. His death arrives less than a month after Davis was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for the 1996 killing of the legendary hip hop artist. While the cause of death is currently unknown, authorities have stated that the situation does not appear suspicious.
Sanft was a well known figure in the Las Vegas legal community. His death has prompted reactions from those who worked on both sides of the courtroom aisle. Prosecutor Marc DiGiacomo, who faced off against Sanft during the trial, spoke about the loss. According to LADBible, he said, “Michael Sanft was one of the premier defense attorneys in Las Vegas, and Las Vegas lost a good lawyer and more importantly to me, I lost a friend.”
The legal battle involving Sanft and his client concluded in August when a Nevada jury found Davis guilty of first degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon. This verdict marked a major turn in the case.
The case of Tupac’s death has been in the public eye for nearly three decades
The incident occurred on September 7, 1996, when Shakur was riding in a BMW near the Las Vegas Strip with Death Row Records co-founder Marion ‘Suge’ Knight. A gunman in a white Cadillac fired at the vehicle, leading to the death of Shakur six days later. Knight managed to survive the event with only minor injuries.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Davis was the mastermind behind the shooting. They claimed he orchestrated the attack after a fight involving his nephew and Shakur earlier that same night. Prosecutor Binu Palal told jurors that Davis obtained a weapon and went hunting for the victims. The prosecution relied heavily on statements Davis made himself, which placed him inside the Cadillac during the shooting.
Sanft had consistently challenged the narrative presented by the state
The defense attorney argued that there was no evidence beyond the statements provided by his client to prove that Davis was in Las Vegas or inside the vehicle. During the proceedings, Sanft expressed frustration with the evidence used by the state.
He famously remarked, “Here’s the thing at the end of the day, when the state of Nevada has to rely on that kind of information to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt, they’ve got a huge problem.” He also suggested that the state was selective in what they chose to focus on, stating, “And I’ve seen the state before, they’ll listen to the phone calls, but it’s sort of like, ‘Nah, we don’t care. We don’t need them’.”
Despite his commitment to the defense, Sanft was vocal about his disagreement with certain choices made by his client. Davis had previously written a book and participated in various interviews where he discussed his involvement in the case.
Sanft addressed these actions during the trial by stating, “Do I agree with him writing the book and doing all these interviews? No.” He maintained his professional focus though, noting, “Keffe knows that I’m in his corner. I have a personal pride issue here because I want to win this case too and I want to do the best job for Keffe that I can.”
The jury deliberated for roughly three hours before reaching the guilty verdict
The atmosphere in the courtroom was intense as the decision was read. Shakur’s sister, Sekyiwa Shakur, was seen crying while Davis’ son covered his face with his hand. The trial itself was a massive undertaking, lasting nine days and featuring testimony from 24 prosecution witnesses and three defense witnesses.
Following the guilty verdict, Davis was held without bail until his sentencing on October 13. While Davis had indicated plans to file an appeal, the death of his attorney marks a significant shift in his legal path. A new lawyer will now need to step in to handle the next stages of the process.
Beyond his professional life, Sanft was remembered for his personal character. Michael Sloan, a friend who frequently rode motorcycles with the attorney, confirmed the news of his death. He described Sanft as a devoted friend, stating, “He was one of my best friends and one of the best human beings I knew.”
The Clark County coroner’s office and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department have been contacted for further information, but no additional details have been shared at this time.
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