Michael Sanft, the defence attorney who represented Duane “Keffe D” Davis in the murder trial over the killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, has died at the age of 55.
The Clark County Coroner’s Office in Nevada confirmed Sanft’s death on Friday, November 6, 2026, although authorities have not disclosed the cause or manner of death.
According to FOX5 Las Vegas, Sanft was reported dead on Thursday night, with further details surrounding the circumstances of his death remaining limited.
Sanft gained national attention for representing Davis, who was convicted in August 2026 of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon for his role in orchestrating Shakur’s 1996 killing.
The attorney took on Davis’ defence pro bono, challenging the prosecution’s case and questioning the reliability of statements Davis had previously made about the shooting.
Davis was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on October 13, 2026, following the conviction.
After the sentencing, Sanft expressed disappointment with the jury’s decision but maintained that his legal team had done everything possible during the trial.
He and Davis had also discussed challenging the conviction, with a notice of appeal filed on October 30, according to court records cited by FOX5.
Sanft was the lead trial attorney at SOS Injury Lawyers in Las Vegas and had tried more than 150 cases before juries during his legal career.
His death has prompted tributes from members of the Nevada legal community, who described him as a respected attorney, colleague and friend.
Local attorney Michael Troiano remembered Sanft as an honest and humble person, praising his abilities as a trial lawyer.
The circumstances surrounding his death remain under review, with the coroner’s office yet to release an official cause of death.
