Former Illinois sheriff’s deputy who killed Sonya Massey in her home dies aged 32

Sean Grayson, a former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy, passed away in prison on Sunday after being convicted of murdering Sonya Massey in her home in 2024, according to his attorney Daniel L. Fultz. Grayson, who was 32 at the time of his conviction, had been battling Stage 4 colon cancer and was undergoing treatment. The cause of his death remains unclear.

Last October, Grayson was found guilty of second-degree murder for shooting Massey, receiving a 20-year sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections, followed by two years of mandatory supervised release. The Illinois Prisoner Review Board recently rejected Grayson's request for medical release, ordering him to remain in prison despite the application citing his advanced colon cancer.

In July 2024, Massey called the police for assistance regarding a possible prowler outside her home. Grayson and another officer responded and spoke with her. Bodycam footage shows Grayson accusing Massey of rebuking him "in the name of Jesus" while she approached a pot of water on the stove. Grayson shot Massey, who died from a gunshot wound.

The body camera was not activated for most of the call, only turning on after Grayson pulled his weapon. Grayson's former partner, Dawson Farley, testified that he was not afraid of Massey during the call but feared Grayson, stating that he unholstered his gun only after Grayson did.