Sean Grayson, Deputy Who Killed Sonya Massey, Has Died: Reports

SANGAMON COUNTY, IL — Sean Grayson, the downstate sheriff’s deputy who shot and killed Sonya Massey two years ago in her own home, has died, according to reports.

His attorney, Daniel Fultz, confirmed to WCIA and NBC Chicago that Grayson had died Sunday.

Grayson was sentenced earlier this year to 20 years in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder in October, WCIA reported.

Massey, who was Black, called 911 around 1 a.m. on July 6, 2024, about a possible prowler at her home, and Grayson was among the deputies who responded, Patch previously reported. The 36-year-old was shot and killed following a brief exchange about a pot of hot water in her kitchen, body camera footage showed.

Grayson sought early medical release from prison as well as a new trial and a sentence reduction, according to WCIA, which reported that all three requests were denied. His death followed a years-long battle with colon cancer, which, as of July, had reached Stage 4 and spread to multiple organs, according to WCIA.

Before being hired by Sangamon County, Grayson had worked at five other law enforcement agencies since mid-2020, according to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.

The Massey case forced the premature retirement of Sheriff Jack Campbell, and her family was granted a $10 million civil settlement from the county.