Nev. man sentenced to life for fatally stabbing pregnant girlfriend in 'cold-blooded murder'

RENO, Nev. (TCD) -- A 33-year-old man will spend the rest of his life behind bars for killing his pregnant girlfriend and their unborn child in late 2020.

In a statement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada announced a federal judge sentenced Michael Burciaga to life plus 20 years in prison in connection with the fatal stabbing of his girlfriend, who KLAS-TV identified as Amanda Davis. Burciaga was charged, convicted, and sentenced in federal court because the crime occurred on the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation and Davis was an indigenous member of the tribe.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, on Dec. 15, 2020, the Pyramid Lake Police Department received a call from Davis' daughter and responded to her home on the Pyramid Lake Reservation. Officers went inside the residence and found Davis stabbed to death in the master bathroom. Burciaga was reportedly standing outside and had a laceration on his hand.

Burciaga reportedly told police, "I already know what happened, and I know what I did, which is why I slit my wrist."

Medics transported Burciaga to a hospital. While on the way, he revealed Davis was pregnant with his child.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Burciaga "stabbed the victim with multiple knives during a domestic violence incident."

Both Davis and the unborn child died following the attack.

He was indicted Dec. 18, 2020, and convicted June 23, 2023.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Spencer Evans said in the U.S. Attorney’s Office statement, "Today’s sentencing ends a tragic story of cold-blooded murder. While life in prison will not undo the crime committed by Mr. Burciaga, it will prevent him from victimizing anyone on the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation again. I appreciate the work of our investigators and tribal partners ensuring violent offenders such as this are held accountable, and residents can feel safe in their homes."

MORE:

• Northern Nevada Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Murdering Pregnant Indigenous Woman On Reservation - U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada
• Northern Nevada Resident Convicted Of Murdering Pregnant Indigenous Woman On Reservation, 6/23/2023 - U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada
• U.S. Attorney’s Office Charges Nevada Man For Allegedly Murdering Indigenous Woman On Reservation, 12/18/2020 - U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada
• Man gets life in prison — plus 20 years — in 2020 stabbing death of pregnant girlfriend - KLAS