Sean Grayson, the former Illinois sheriff’s deputy sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey, a single mother who had called 911 seeking help, has died, his attorney said.
Defense attorney Daniel Fultz confirmed to The Post that Grayson, 32, died early Sunday.
Grayson had been diagnosed with colon cancer before the 2024 shooting. In January, his lawyer said the disease had spread to his liver and lungs.
In July, a three-member Illinois Prisoner Review Board panel unanimously rejected Grayson’s request for early medical release. Fultz said he could not comment on whether Grayson’s death was connected to his cancer diagnosis.
The former deputy was six months into a 20-year sentence for second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Massey inside her Springfield, Illinois, home on July 6, 2024. Massey had called 911 to report a possible prowler.
Body camera footage showed Grayson, who was white, shooting Massey, a 36-year-old single Black mother, in the face as she moved a pot of hot water from the stove and said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
Moments before the shooting, Grayson shouted at Massey and drew his pistol. Massey responded, “I’m sorry,” and ducked before the deputy fired three shots, the footage showed.
Afterward, Grayson told his partner at the scene there was no need to retrieve a medical kit for Massey, who had suffered a gunshot wound to the face, according to the body camera video.
Grayson and his attorneys argued that he feared Massey would scald him with the hot water.
The ex-deputy who served in Sangamon County was convicted of second-degree murder in October for the shooting — following protests over systemic racism and a US Department of Justice review.
He was handed the maximum possible prison sentence for the shooting in January.
Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, attorneys for Massey’s family, issued a statement on Sunday evening sending prayers to Grayson’s family but maintaining that his death “does not bring Sonya back.”
“Sonya Massey’s death was unjustifiable, and she should be alive today. Sean Grayson’s death in custody from cancer does not bring Sonya back,” the attorneys said in a statement to WLS.
“We wish his family prayers of peace, as we do for all who grieve a loved one. Sonya’s family knows that pain all too well and will grieve her loss the rest of their days.”
Attorneys for Massey’s family did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
With Post wires
