Overview
- Sanft, 55, was found dead at his Las Vegas home on Friday, Nov. 6, the Clark County Office of the Coroner confirmed.
- The coroner has not released a cause or manner of death and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has referred questions to the coroner while some local reports say the death does not appear suspicious.
- Sanft was the lead defense lawyer for Duane “Keffe D” Davis in the 2026 trial that convicted Davis in Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing and he took the case pro bono.
- Court records show Sanft filed a notice of appeal for Davis on Oct. 30, creating immediate procedural and counsel‑succession questions because no replacement attorney has been publicly identified.
- Sanft was a veteran trial lawyer who tried more than 150 jury cases and his death could force a new lawyer to absorb an extensive trial record and meet looming appellate deadlines.