Sean Grayson, former deputy convicted of killing Sonya Massey, dies in prison

Sean Grayson, the former Illinois sheriff’s deputy convicted of the second-degree murder of Sonya Massey, has died in prison at the age of 32. Grayson was serving a 20-year sentence following the July 2024 shooting of Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, inside her home in the Springfield area.

The incident occurred after Massey called 911 to report a possible prowler. Body camera footage showed Grayson ordering Massey to remove a pot of hot water from a stove; after Massey apologized and ducked behind a kitchen counter, Grayson fired three shots, striking her in the face. The killing became a significant flashpoint in national debates regarding police use of force.

Grayson’s attorney, Daniel Fultz, confirmed the death but did not disclose the cause. While Grayson had been battling colon cancer that had spread to his liver and lungs, the Illinois Department of Corrections stated they could only confirm he died in an out-of-state correctional facility. A previous request for medical release due to his terminal condition was denied by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board last month.