Monday, Sept. 25, 2023 | 5:39 p.m.
A Northern Nevada man was sentenced today to life in prison plus 20 years for murdering a pregnant indigenous woman on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribes’ Reservation in 2020, according to a U.S. Justice Department news release.
Michael Burciaga, 36, was convicted of stabbing his girlfriend multiple times, causing her death and the death of their unborn child. She was a member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. Police responded to the call from the woman’s daughter at their home on the reservation in Nixon on Dec. 15, 2020, the release stated.
A jury convicted Burciaga of murder in the first degree within Indian Country, and domestic assault by a habitual offender within Indian Country.
Burciaga had prior convictions for domestic assault in Becker County, Minn.; domestic battery in Fernley; and domestic battery in Sparks.
“Today’s sentencing ends a tragic story of cold-blooded murder,” said Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI. “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.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and Pyramid Lake Police Department.
Chief U.S. District Judge Miranda Du issued the sentence.
