Tupac Shakur's killer dealt personal blow after being sentenced to 40 years in prison

Julianna Salinas Wed, October 14, 2026 at 8:22 AM UTC

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Duane 'Keefe D' Davis was sentenced to 40 years behind bars -Credit:POOL/AFP via Getty Images (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Tupac Shakur's killer now faces a fresh blow after being sentenced to 40 years behind bars.

Duane 'Keefe D' Davis's wife, Paula Clemons, reportedly ended their relationship after he was sentenced to four decades behind bars for orchestrating the 1996 shooting of beloved rapper Tupac Shakur. The former gang leader's wife reportedly left him over his legal issues and "stupidity" concerning the case, for which the 63-year-old was convicted of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon.

His sentencing was handed down by Clark County Judge Carli Kierny on Tuesday, October 13, 30 years after the drive-by shooting ended the life of the West Coast rapper at just 25 years old on September 7, 1996.

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Now, Davis's own friends and family say "it's all over" between him and his wife. According to James Desborough, who covered the high-profile murder trial in Las Vegas, the couple previously relocated from Los Angeles to Henderson, Nevada, just half an hour from the site of the brutal murder.

The 61-year-old had allegedly "already been livid with her husband for several years," over his boasting about his role in Tupac's killing. Their relationship had become more "fractured" as Davis stood trial for the murder. Clemons did not attend the trial or sentencing at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, where Davis learned that he would likely die behind bars.

Davis was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in Tupac's death -Credit:John Locher/Pool AP via AP

A source close to the family told Desborough that Clemons "lost her f-----g rag" when a tape of her husband speaking with a mistress was filed into the prosecution's evidence log, leaving her "incensed, hurt, and humiliated."

The insider said that "Paula has told Duane that they are done," noting that "she has been on the brink for the last few years with him because of the case."

While she reportedly wanted to support him throughout the trial, "gradually over time the goodwill has waned." According to the source, she said she was upset that the trial "messed up" her life, and friends expressed sympathy, saying, "Keefe put her in this mess."

The unwanted attention from the trial led to her feeling intense pressure, with the insider claiming that she believed she would "be looked at for perjury because of all the wild deals Keefe was trying to make to get out," with Davis going as far as to make plans to be "at home hosting a barbecue out on bail."

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Ahead of his 40-year sentence, the convicted killer's loved ones expressed "deep concerns" about his state of mind and "understanding of his reality." Sources close to Clemons say that she now "has to come to terms with being alone for the future."

Tupac Shakur was killed in a drive by shooting in Las Vegas -Credit:Getty Images

The "dagger in her heart" that led to her decision to leave her husband was a recording of him speaking with this alleged mistress, in which he undermined his own defense team's claims that he did not orchestrate the drive-by shooting.

The insider described the call as "humiliating" for Clemons, noting that "the whole world knew that her husband was being disloyal, but also harming his defense," and adding that it "really p----d her off in so many ways."

That moment "helped bring about the end of their marriage for sure."

Award-winning film producer and defense consultant Richard 'RJ' Bond confirmed the split, stating, "Paula has given Keefe more support than a normal person would have given the circumstances. And she was probably the last supporter that he had aside from his son Duane Junior."

Bond, who has been a family friend for over 14 years, continued, "But she has to move on with her life. The baggage that you carry from the past follows you sometimes whether you like it or not."

Davis's wife has reportedly ended their relationship -Credit:Steve Marcus/POOL Reuters via AP

"Sometimes the way you minimize that impact is by distance. In any situation like this that involves parents, a child remains the victim. That is why I remain friendly with Duane Junior," he said.

Speaking about the details of the case, Bond said Davis's actions "caused a disruption and made him radioactive to his family," adding that "Paula felt humiliated."

On why Davis's wife refused to take the stand during the high-profile murder trial, Bond explained, "It has been my experience that the intense media spotlight is something most people want to avoid because suddenly the attention from the case would shift from Keefe to her, with major news networks looking to speak to her and put her in the center of the playing field."

He continued, "My view on her participation has nothing to do with whether Keefe is guilty or not. I still support his innocence. I have sympathy for those in his life who have become collateral damage."

On October 13, Duane 'Keefe D' Davis was sentenced to 40 years in prison for orchestrating the murder of Tupac Shakur.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”