Sean Grayson, the former Illinois sheriff’s deputy convicted in the killing of Sonya Massey, has died while in prison.
Attorney Daniel L. Fultz confirmed that Grayson died on Aug. 23.
Grayson, 32, had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2023. At his sentencing in January, his attorneys sought a reduced sentence, saying the disease had spread to his lungs and liver and had progressed to Stage 4 liver cancer.
In May, four months after he was sentenced, Grayson requested early medical release because of his advanced cancer. The request was denied.
“Cancer does not make him less dangerous,” the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office wrote in a July letter opposing his release. “He has literally just begun his 20-year sentence for second-degree murder.”
The office added, “To release Grayson under these circumstances would be a miscarriage of justice and an insult to Sonya Massey’s memory and family.”
What Happened to Sonya Massey?
Massey, a mother of two, called 911 on July 6, 2024, after she believed someone was trying to break into her Springfield home.
One day earlier, Massey’s mother, Donna Massey had called 911 to report that her daughter was having a “mental breakdown” but was not a danger to herself or anyone else, according to the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.
When Grayson and fellow officer Dawson Farley responded to Massey’s 911 call, they found Massey, who removed a pot of boiling water from the stove. She told the officers, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” as seen in body camera footage published by the Associated Press.
Both officers drew their guns as Grayson said, “You better f–king not or I swear to God I will shoot you right in the f–king face.”
Though Massey apologized and ducked behind the counter as the officers ordered her to drop the pot, Grayson fired three shots, striking Massey in the head.
Grayson then told Farley not to help Massey, saying, “There is nothing we can do, man.”
Grayson was fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and initially charged with first-degree murder.
During his October trial, Grayson testified that he shot Massey in self-defense, fearing that she would throw the hot water on him.
As for why he chose to use his gun, “I didn’t want to take the chance of the Taser malfunctioning,” he told the court. “The Taser doesn’t work on everybody.”
The prosecution, however, argued that Massey did not pose a threat.
“He wants you to believe he was scared,” First Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Beth Rodgers told the jury. “But you don’t have to believe that, because it’s not true.”
Farley also testified that while he was never afraid of Massey, he was afraid of Grayson that night.
Grayson was found guilty of second-degree murder, a verdict Massey’s family publicly condemned.
“Anyone who saw the video and thought it was partly Sonya’s fault is inhumane,” her mom told reporters, according to KSDK. “I can’t wait til he gets to hell.”
After news of Grayson’s death, Massey’s family attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci issued a statement.
“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,” they said, according to Fox16. “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.”
A spokesperson from the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Oxygen.
