Former Deputy Convicted in Sonya Massey Killing Dies in Prison

Sean Grayson, a former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy convicted of the 2024 murder of Sonya Massey, died on Sunday while incarcerated. His attorney, Daniel L. Fultz, confirmed the death, stating that Grayson had been undergoing treatment for Stage 4 colon cancer, though it remains unclear if the illness was the direct cause of death.

Grayson, 32, was found guilty last October of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Massey. He was serving a 20-year sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with an additional two years of mandatory supervised release to follow. His medical release request, citing advanced colon cancer, was recently rejected by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, which ordered him to remain in prison.

The conviction stemmed from an incident in July 2024 when Massey called police reporting a possible prowler outside her home. Grayson and another officer responded. During the call, Grayson reported Massey acting erratically inside her home. Bodycam footage from Grayson's partner captured the moment Grayson shot Massey, who died from her injuries. Grayson's own body camera was not activated for most of the interaction, only turning on shortly before he discharged his weapon.