The high-profile murder case surrounding rap legend Tupac Shakur has taken another unexpected turn after the attorney who defended the man convicted of his killing was found dead inside his Las Vegas home.
Michael Sanft, 55, was discovered dead Friday, November 6, just one week after filing an appeal challenging the conviction of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, the man found guilty of orchestrating Shakur’s 1996 murder.
The Clark County Coroner’s Office confirmed Sanft’s death, but his cause and manner of death remain undetermined. Las Vegas police said the circumstances did not appear suspicious, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Sanft’s sudden passing comes at a critical moment in one of the most closely watched murder cases in hip-hop history. After nearly three decades of unanswered questions, a Las Vegas jury convicted Davis of first-degree murder on August 31, 2026. He was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on October 13.
Sanft, who represented Davis without charge, had vowed to challenge the verdict and formally filed a notice of appeal on October 30. His death now raises questions about who will take over the legal battle and whether the change in representation could affect the appeals process.
The case dates back to September 7, 1996, when Shakur was shot while riding in a BMW with Death Row Records co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight near the Las Vegas Strip. The 25-year-old rapper died six days later, leaving behind one of the most enduring mysteries in music history.
Davis, a former gang figure who had publicly discussed his involvement in the events surrounding the shooting, was arrested in September 2023. Prosecutors argued that he helped organize the attack following a confrontation involving his nephew and Shakur earlier that evening.
Although Davis was not accused of personally firing the fatal shots, jurors ultimately found him responsible for the killing.
Following the guilty verdict, Sanft expressed frustration with the jury’s decision but stood firmly behind his defense team’s work.
“We had the best team possible in this case,” he told FOX5 Las Vegas, adding that he did not believe he could have handled the defense differently.
He also recalled a conversation with Davis following the conviction. According to Sanft, his client remained determined to continue fighting, describing the guilty verdict as only the first phase of his legal battle.
Beyond the Tupac case, Sanft was a respected Las Vegas trial lawyer who had handled more than 150 jury trials. He also represented former Nevada politician Michele Fiore in a federal fraud case before withdrawing following her conviction. Fiore was subsequently pardoned by President Donald Trump.
Born in Tonga, Sanft moved to San Diego with his family at age 12 and eventually pursued a legal career. According to his law firm’s biography, he was driven by a desire to take advantage of the opportunities available in America while honoring the culture and community that raised him.
His death has stunned members of the Las Vegas legal community. Michael Sloan, a close friend and Clark County District Court marshal, remembered Sanft as one of the best people he had ever known.
For Davis, the loss comes as his legal fight enters a new chapter. It remains unclear who will assume responsibility for his appeal.
Authorities have not announced when additional findings concerning Sanft’s death will be released.
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