By: Ade Phillips
David Michael Pagniano, 62, from Arizona, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of his wife, Sandra Pagniano, 39.
The sentencing was handed down by Yavapai County Superior Court Judge David Mackey on May 9, 2024, concluding a tragic case that began in 2017.
Sandra, who was in the process of divorcing David and had two daughters with him, was abducted from her home. She was bound, gagged, and driven to a remote location where she was buried alive in a hand-dug grave.
Despite her efforts to survive, she remained conscious for several minutes after being buried.
The discovery of Sandra’s body in a remote area about 10 miles northwest of her home led to an extensive investigation.
Suspicious notes, initially thought to be written by Sandra but later determined to be authored by David, added complexity to the case.
Alongside the life sentence for murder, David received a 16.5-year sentence for additional charges, including kidnapping, fraud schemes, and forgery.
Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane highlighted the pursuit of the life sentence due to the heinous nature of the crime, expressing hope that it would bring some measure of closure to Sandra’s family.
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