Former Sangamon County deputy convicted of killing Sonya Massey dies in prison at 32
Sean Grayson, the former Illinois sheriff's deputy convicted of second-degree murder in the 2024 shooting of Sonya Massey in her home, has died in prison just six months into his 20-year sentence, his attorney said Sunday.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Sean Grayson, the former Sangamon County sheriff's deputy whose fatal shooting of Sonya Massey inside her home became a national flashpoint over police use of force, has died, his attorney said Sunday.
Grayson, 32, died around noon on Sunday, six months into a 20-year prison sentence for second-degree murder, Daniel Fultz, the attorney who represented Grayson during his trial, confirmed. Fultz declined to provide further details.
The cause of death was not immediately clear, though Grayson had been battling a serious illness. He was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2023, and by his sentencing hearing in January, another defense attorney, Mark Wykoff, said the cancer had progressed to Stage 4 and spread to his liver, lungs and rectum. In July, Grayson was denied medical release by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board.
The shooting
The case dates back to shortly before 1 a.m. on July 6, 2024, when Grayson and another officer responded to a 911 call from Massey, 36, who reported a prowler at her home.
Body camera video captured the confrontation. During the response, Massey went to the kitchen and picked up a pot of boiling water from her stove. According to court testimony, Grayson backed away and testified that he believed Massey was about to throw the boiling water on him after she told him, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." Grayson said he took the remark as a threat.
In the video, Grayson pointed his gun at Massey and threatened to shoot her. She apologized and dropped to the floor, but he fired three times, striking her. Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser told the court that Grayson declined to offer medical aid. Massey was pronounced dead at St. John's Hospital in Springfield.
First Assistant State's Attorney Mary Beth Rodgers said during the trial: "'I'm sorry.' That is the last thing Sonya Massey said before the defendant murdered her, just like he said he would."
Aftermath and legacy
The shooting, captured on body camera, sparked protests and renewed calls for reform in police practices. Grayson was found guilty of second-degree murder last October.
The case also produced legislative change. Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Sonya Massey Act, a law requiring stricter background checks for law enforcement hires, which took effect at the beginning of this year.
In early 2025, Sangamon County officials agreed to pay a $10 million settlement to Massey's family.
Massey's family did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Sunday.