Former deputy convicted in Sonya Massey shooting dies in prison

Sean Grayson, the former Illinois sheriff’s deputy convicted of fatally shooting Sonya Massey after she called 911 to report a possible prowler, has died in prison, his attorney said Sunday.

Daniel Fultz, who represented Grayson during his murder trial, said Grayson died around noon. Grayson, 32, was serving a 20-year sentence for second-degree murder in the killing of Massey, a 36-year-old woman shot inside her home in 2024 after deputies responded to her call for help.

The cause of death was not immediately clear. NBC News reported that another defense attorney, Mark Wykoff, said at Grayson’s January sentencing that he had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2023. CBS News reported that Grayson had been battling Stage 4 colon cancer and was undergoing treatment. Both outlets reported that it was unclear whether cancer caused his death.

Grayson had been six months into his sentence, NBC News reported. CBS News reported that the sentence was to be followed by two years of mandatory supervised release. In July, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board denied his request for medical release, according to NBC News. CBS News reported that the board rejected the request last month despite an application citing advanced colon cancer.

Massey’s death drew protests and calls for justice after body camera video of the encounter became public. The shooting happened after Grayson and another officer responded to Massey’s home in July 2024. While they were inside, Massey picked up a pot of boiling water from her stove, according to court testimony.

Grayson testified that he believed Massey was going to throw the boiling water on him after she said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” When Grayson appeared confused, Massey repeated the sentence, NBC News reported.

Body camera video from Grayson’s partner captured the shooting. CBS News reported that Grayson’s own body camera was not activated for most of the call and turned on only shortly after he drew his weapon.

In the video, while Massey is holding the pot, Grayson is heard saying, “You’d better fing not. I swear to God, I’ll fing shoot you right in your fing face.” He then raises his gun and yells at Massey to “drop the fing pot!”

Massey apologized and ducked for cover, at which point Grayson fired, prosecutors said. Three shots are heard in the video. Massey was struck and later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser said in court that Grayson declined to provide medical care after the shooting.

During the trial, Grayson’s former partner, Dawson Farley, testified that he was not afraid of Massey during the call and instead feared Grayson, CBS News reported. Farley told jurors he was confused when Massey said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” but did not perceive the statement as a threat. He said he unholstered his gun only because Grayson did.

Grayson was convicted of second-degree murder. NBC News reported that he was convicted in 2025, while CBS News reported that he was found guilty last October.