Arizona Man Who Buried Wife Alive in Hand-Dug Grave Sentenced to Life Without Parole

David Pagniano, 63, pleaded guilty to killing his wife Sandra Pagniano, 39, six years ago

An Arizona man has received a life sentence without parole after pleading guilty to murdering his wife by burying her alive.

David Pagniano, 62, was sentenced on May 9 for the 2017 death of his estranged wife Sandra Pagniano, 39, after she was “kidnapped from her home” by him and “driven to a remote location and buried alive,” in Prescott, Arizona, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said in a release.

The victim, who was amid divorce proceedings with her ex-husband at the time and shared two daughters with him, was “bound and gagged” and buried in a “hand-dug grave,” according to the release.

“My Office pursued the death penalty in this case because of the horrific circumstances surrounding the abduction and murder of a young mother,” Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGranehe said. “Sandra was kidnapped from her home while her children slept nearby, bound in packing tape, driven to a remote location and buried alive.”

Related: Man Learns Fate After Stabbing and Burying Wife Alive — Leading to Her Miraculous Escape

“The evidence revealed she vigorously struggled while she was in the grave, and was likely conscious for up to five minutes after being buried. I hope the life sentence brings some closure to the victim’s family.”

Pagniano received an additional sentence of 16.5 years in prison for kidnapping, fraud schemes and forgery.

The Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation into the disappearance of Sandra in 2017 following “suspicious circumstances during a contentious divorce” which led to her discovery.

Detectives also “recovered two notes” indicated to have been written by Pagniano’s ex-wife which were “filed in the divorce proceeding after Sandra’s disappearance.” They stated that she was leaving him and handing him full custody of their children and ownership of her vehicles and house.

Related: 23-Year-Old Man Dies Days After He Was Buried Alive in Remote Australian Beach

These notes were determined through forensic examination to have actually been written by the offender, the Sheriff’s Office stated.

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Pagniano was located by cell phone analysis in the area of the gravesite days before his wife was found, according to the release. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, per NBC News.

"I hope the life sentence brings some closure to the victim’s family," McGranehe added.

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