Michael Sanft, Attorney in Tupac Shakur Murder Case, Dies at 55
Michael Sanft, the defense attorney who represented Duane "Keffe D" Davis in the Tupac Shakur murder trial, was found dead in Las Vegas. The Clark County coroner's office confirmed the death of the 55-year-old attorney, with the cause and manner…
Portland, OR, November 7, 2026 — Michael Sanft, a defense attorney involved in the high-profile murder case of Tupac Shakur, has died. He was 55 years old.
The Clark County coroner’s office confirmed that Sanft was found deceased in Las Vegas. Officials stated that the cause and manner of his death are currently pending investigation.
Sanft was known for his role as the defense attorney for Duane “Keffe D” Davis. Davis is accused of orchestrating the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas. Davis has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder with the use of a deadly weapon.
The details surrounding Sanft’s death have not been released by authorities. Further information is expected pending the results of the coroner’s investigation.
The legal proceedings in the Tupac Shakur murder case are ongoing. Davis was arrested in September 2023 in connection with Shakur’s death, which occurred over 27 years prior.
Sanft’s passing leaves a void in the legal representation for Davis as the trial progresses. Information regarding any potential changes to Davis’s legal counsel was not immediately available.
Story summarized from the original created by Martha Cruz, Victoria Saha, Cody Lee, Jordan Gartner on www.kptv.com, see more information here.
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