LAS VEGAS — Michael Sanft, the Nevada defense attorney who represented Duane Keith "Keffe D" Davis in his high-profile trial for the 1996 murder of hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur, has died at the age of 55, according to a report by USA TODAY.

A spokesperson for the Clark County Office of the Coroner confirmed Sanft’s death to USA TODAY on Friday, Nov. 6. Authorities reported that he was found dead in Las Vegas. His cause and manner of death remain pending, and officials have not released further details.

Sanft was a prominent Nevada trial attorney widely recognized for leading Davis’ defense. In August, a jury convicted Davis of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon for facilitating the fatal drive-by shooting of Shakur near the Las Vegas Strip nearly three decades ago. Davis, who is the only individual ever charged in connection with Shakur's death, was sentenced in October to 40 years to life in prison.

Prior to his death, Sanft had initiated the process to challenge the verdict, filing a notice of appeal on October 30, court records show.