Man kidnaps wife as kids sleep nearby and buries her alive in Arizona, officials say

A man is going to prison after being accused of kidnapping his wife and burying her alive in Arizona, officials said.

David Michael Pagniano, 62, is accused of kidnapping his wife, Sandra Pagniano, from her home while their children were sleeping, according to a May 17 news release from the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office.

Pagniano’s wife had gone missing during their divorce, prosecutors said.

Pagniano gagged and bound his wife with packing tape before putting her in a hand-dug grave in a remote area near Prescott, officials said. Prosecutors said the woman “vigorously struggled” and “was likely conscious for up to five minutes after being buried,” according to the release.

After analyzing phone records, officials determined that Pagniano had been in the area of the gravesite in the days leading up to his wife’s disappearance, prosecutors said.

Officers initially found two notes written by the man’s wife saying she was leaving and giving him her car, home and custody of their kids, officials said.

Officials later learned Pagniano had written the notes, according to the release.

The county attorney initially sought the death penalty, but after Pagniano pleaded guilty, he was sentenced to life in prison plus an additional 16.5 years in prison for the crimes of kidnapping, forgery, and fraud schemes, prosecutors said.

Prescott is about a 100-mile drive northwest of Phoenix.

This story was originally published May 20, 2024 at 11:32 AM with the headline "Man kidnaps wife as kids sleep nearby and buries her alive in Arizona, officials say."