Sean Grayson death came months into his prison sentence for killing Sonya Massey.
Sean Grayson, the former Illinois sheriff’s deputy convicted in the killing of Sonya Massey, died Sunday, August 23, 2026, while serving a 20-year prison sentence, according to his attorney.
Grayson’s attorney, Daniel Fultz, confirmed the death to The Associated Press but did not provide further details. Grayson was 32.
Serving A 20-Year Sentence
Grayson was convicted of second-degree murder in October 2025 for fatally shooting Massey inside her Springfield-area home on July 6, 2024.
Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman and mother, had called 911 to report a possible prowler outside her home.
Grayson was sentenced in January 2026 to the maximum 20 years in prison.
Medical Release Was Denied
Grayson had been diagnosed with colon cancer before the shooting. His attorneys said at sentencing that the cancer had spread to his liver and lungs.
He later sought medical release under an Illinois law for prisoners with terminal illness or serious medical conditions.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said the Prisoner Review Board voted 3-0 on July 31, 2026, to deny Grayson’s medical release petition, according to an official statement from the governor’s office.
Officials have not publicly released an official cause of death.
What Happened To Sonya Massey
Body camera video showed Grayson and another Sangamon County deputy responding to Massey’s home after her 911 call.
According to AP, video showed Grayson directing Massey to remove a pot of hot water from the stove. Massey then told deputies, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
Grayson threatened to shoot her, drew his gun and ordered her to drop the pot. Massey apologized and ducked behind a counter before Grayson fired three times.
Grayson argued at trial that he feared Massey would throw the hot water at him. Jurors rejected a first-degree murder charge and convicted him of second-degree murder.
Family Attorneys Respond
Attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, who represent Massey’s family, said Grayson’s death does not bring Massey back.
In a statement reported by ABC7 Chicago, the attorneys said Massey should still be alive and that her family will grieve her loss for the rest of their lives.
They also offered prayers of peace to Grayson’s family.
Case Led To Wider Reforms
Massey’s killing drew national attention and raised questions about police use of force, emergency response and law enforcement hiring practices.
The Justice Department later reached a memorandum of agreement with Sangamon County, the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and county dispatch officials.
The agreement called for changes that included more training and stronger response systems for calls involving people with behavioral health disabilities.
Illinois lawmakers also passed the Sonya Massey Act, a state law requiring police agencies to more closely review prior employment records before hiring officers.
Grayson’s death closes one chapter in the criminal case, but Massey’s family and supporters continue to point to her killing as a call for accountability and reform.