Las Vegas Attorney Michael Sanft Dies

Sanft, who defended Duane Davis in Tupac Shakur's murder case, died, with no further details disclosed so far.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Criminal Justice

Las Vegas attorney Michael Sanft has died, according to sources who reported the death to News 3. Sanft had represented Duane Davis at trial earlier this year, when a jury convicted Davis of the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur.

Why it matters

Sanft's death ends the career of a Nevada defense attorney who handled one of the most high-profile murder cases tied to the Las Vegas area in recent years. The conviction and sentence of his client remain part of the legal record of the case.

Davis was convicted by a jury and sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur. The cause and manner of Sanft's death have not been publicly disclosed.

The players

Michael Sanft

Michael Sanft was a Las Vegas defense attorney who practiced in Nevada since 2002 and was known for representing clients in high-profile criminal cases.

Duane Davis

Duane Davis is a man convicted by a Las Vegas-area jury of the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur and sentenced to 40 years to life in prison.

Clark County Coroner's Office

The Clark County Coroner's Office is the county agency responsible for investigating deaths in Clark County, Nevada, including Las Vegas.

The details

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police referred questions about Sanft's death to the Clark County Coroner's Office. Sanft grew up in Tonga, moved to San Diego as a child, and received his law degree from Brigham Young University.

1996: Tupac Shakur is murdered and Duane Davis is charged.
2002: Sanft becomes a member of the Nevada state bar.
Earlier in 2026: Sanft represents Davis at trial, where a jury convicts him.
November 6, 2026: Sanft's death is reported.

Legal Context

The conviction of Duane Davis is one of the few courtroom outcomes in the decades-long Tupac Shakur murder case, which remained unsolved for many years after the 1996 shooting. The death of his defense attorney adds a new development to a case that continues to draw public attention.

Residents following the Shakur case may see renewed attention to the court record. The loss of a defense attorney does not change the outcome of Davis's sentence or the legal proceedings already completed.

The takeaway

Court outcomes in long-running cases can outlast the lawyers and officials who handled them. Readers following criminal justice news in Las Vegas can track verified sentencing records through official court channels.