Sean Grayson, deputy convicted of killing Sonya Massey, dies in custody

Sean Grayson, convicted of shooting unarmed Sonya Massey in 2024, has died in prison after less than a year of his 20-year sentence, his attorney confirmed.

Former Illinois deputy who shot Sonya Massey dies in prison from cancer

Sean Grayson, the former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy convicted of shooting unarmed Sonya Massey in her kitchen, died Sunday morning after serving less than a year of a 20-year prison sentence, his defense attorney Dan Fultz confirmed. He was 32.

According to kxii.com, Grayson shot Massey, 36, on July 6, 2024, after she called 911 to report a prowler outside her home. A body camera worn by a second responding deputy recorded the events leading to the shooting, capturing Grayson firing at the unarmed woman while she stood in her kitchen.

Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser reviewed the footage and the Illinois State Police investigation, charging Grayson with first-degree murder 11 days after Massey's death. He was ultimately convicted of second-degree murder in October.

Court documents filed by Grayson's attorneys revealed that doctors had diagnosed him with colon cancer in 2023 — before the shooting — and that the disease had since spread to his liver and lungs. While awaiting trial in county jail, records obtained by Capitol Illinois News showed he was transported regularly to Springfield for medical treatment. At trial, Grayson appeared visibly diminished, far thinner than the 6-foot-4, 225-pound deputy seen on the night of the shooting.

In May, Grayson sought compassionate release under the Joe Coleman Act, claiming in his petition that Massey had invited him inside and then attacked him with a boiling pot of water. Massey's family opposed the petition. The Illinois Prisoner Review Board denied the request in late July.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represented the Massey family, issued a statement following news of Grayson's death. "Sonya Massey's death was unjustifiable, and she should be alive today," Crump said. "Sean Grayson's death in custody from cancer does not bring Sonya back. We wish his family prayers of peace, as we do for all who grieve a loved one. Sonya's family knows the pain all too well and will grieve her loss the rest of their days."

The Illinois Department of Corrections did not respond to a request for comment on Sunday. Grayson was in IDOC custody at the time of his death, though details about his specific place of detention had never been publicly released.

Source: Google News JM — Kingston