Former Illinois deputy Sean Grayson, convicted of murdering Sonya Massey, dies in prison

Sean Grayson, the former Illinois sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot Sonya Massey at her home in 2024, has died following a colon cancer diagnosis the year before.

Grayson's attorney Daniel Fultz confirmed his passing at the age of 32 on Sunday (August 23), ABC News reports. Fultz declined to provide any further details surrounding his death.

The former deputy was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2023, which progressed to Stage 4 a year later and spread to his liver, lungs and rectum, according to his other defense attorney, Mark Wykoff.

Just months into his sentence earlier this year, he sought medical release under an Illinois law for prisoners with terminal illnesses or serious medical conditions. The Illinois Prisoner Review Board denied his request last month, AP reports.

It remains unclear whether Grayson's cancer diagnosis contributed to his death behind bars.

Sean Grayson was convicted of the murder of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who had called 911 (Sangamon County Sheriff's Office)

What happened to Sonya Massey at her home in 2024?

It was in October last year when Grayson was convicted of the murder of 36-year-old Sonya Massey, a Black woman who had called 911 in July 2024 over fears of a prowler at her home.

Grayson and sheriff's deputy Dawson Farley responded, but found nothing after searching the vicinity.

Things escalated when they asked Massey for her ID, after which she picked up a pot of boiling water from her kitchen stove. Body-worn camera footage shows Massey telling the deputies: “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus," prompting Grayson to threaten to shoot her if she didn't drop the pot.

As Massey apologized and ducked down, Grayson opened fire and shot her three times, ending her life.

Sonya Massey had called 911 when she suspected there was a prowler outside her home (Ben Crump Law)

Sean Grayson's charge and conviction

Shortly after the shooting, Grayson was fired from his position and charged with first-degree murder.

Grayson maintained throughout the trial that he shot his weapon due to fears of Massey throwing the boiling water over him - an argument that resulted in jurors convicting him of the lesser charge of second-degree murder.

He was given the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on January 29, 2026.

Though Massey's family said they weren't satisfied with Grayson's second-degree murder conviction, Donna Massey said she was 'ecstatic' that her daughter's killer recieved the maximum sentence.

“We did it, all of us, together. It wasn’t just one or two of us. All of our lawyers, all of our support, everybody who went out in the streets… this was a group effort,” Donna said.

Grayson has died behind bars while serving his 20 year sentence (Macon County Jail)

'Sonya Massey should be alive today'

Massey's killing drew national attention and outrage, with the president at the time, Joe Biden, releasing a statement to say how American citizens 'should be able to call for help without fearing for their lives'.

"Sonya Massey, a beloved mother, friend, daughter, and young Black woman, should be alive today," Biden said.

"Sonya called the police because she was concerned about a potential intruder. When we call for help, all of us as Americans - regardless of who we are or where we live - should be able to do so without fearing for our lives.

"Sonya's death at the hands of a responding officer reminds us that all too often Black Americans face fears for their safety in ways many of the rest of us do not. Sonya's family deserves justice. I am heartbroken for her children and her entire family as they face this unthinkable and senseless loss.

"Jill and I mourn with the rest of the country and our prayers are with Sonya's family, loved ones, and community during this devastating time."