Sean Grayson, the former Illinois sheriff's deputy convicted of killing single mother Sonya Massey, has died in prison at the age of 32. Grayson's attorney, Daniel Fultz, confirmed his death to The Post on Sunday.
Grayson was serving a 20-year sentence for second-degree murder in the July 6, 2024, shooting death of Massey at her Springfield home. He had been incarcerated for six months. Body camera footage showed Grayson, who was white, shooting Massey, a 36-year-old Black single mother, in the face as she moved a pot of hot water and told him, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
Grayson and his defense team had argued that he feared Massey would scald him with the hot water. After Grayson yelled at Massey and drew his pistol, she stated, “I’m sorry,” and ducked before he fired three shots.
Grayson was diagnosed with colon cancer prior to the 2024 shooting, and by January, his attorney had reported that the cancer had spread to his liver and lungs. An Illinois Prisoner Review Board unanimously denied his request for early medical release in July.
Attorneys for Massey's family issued a statement Sunday evening, sending prayers to Grayson's family but emphasizing that his death does not bring Massey back. "Sonya Massey’s death was unjustifiable, and she should be alive today," the statement read. "Sean Grayson’s death in custody from cancer does not bring Sonya back."
Grayson, who had served in Sangamon County, was convicted of second-degree murder in October, following protests regarding systemic racism and a U.S. Department of Justice review. He received the maximum sentence for the crime in January.