A former Illinois sheriff's deputy died in prison Sunday while serving time for fatally shooting Sonya Massey after she called 911 about a suspected prowler in her home, his lawyer said.
Sean Grayson, 32, died around noon, his defense lawyer Daniel Fultz told NBC News. He had served six months of his 20-year maximum sentence for second-degree murder in the 2024 slaying of 36-year-old Massey.
Grayson, who was white, killed Massey, who was Black, after responding to her 911 call on July 6, 2024. Bodycam footage of the shooting in Woodside Township, near Springfield, sparked protests in Illinois and elsewhere, including New York City, Chicago and Atlanta.
The former deputy was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2023, another lawyer said during his January sentencing.
Late last month, TV station WCIA reported that the cancer had progressed to Stage 4 and spread to his liver, lungs and rectum, but the Illinois Prisoner Review Board denied his request for a medical release by a vote of 3-0 days later.
The cause of Grayson’s death was not immediately disclosed.
A statement released by Massey’s family’s lawyers, Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, said, “Sonya Massey’s death was unjustifiable and she should be alive today,” WCIA reported.
“Sean Grayson’s death in custody from cancer does not bring Sonya back. We wish his family prayers of peace, as we do for all who grieve a loved one. Sonya’s family knows that pain all too well and will grieve her loss the rest of their days,” the statement added.
In the early morning hours of July 6, 2024, Massey — who struggled with mental health issues — summoned emergency responders because she feared there was a prowler outside her Springfield home.
Grayson and sheriff’s Deputy Dawson Farley, who was not charged, searched Massey's yard before meeting her at her door. Massey appeared confused and repeatedly said, “Please, God.”
During his 2025 trial, Grayson testified that Massey picked up a pot of boiling water from her stove and walked toward him before saying, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” causing him to fear she was going to throw it on him.
“I took it as a threat,” he said. “The only thing I had to stop the threat was my duty weapon.”
Grayson drew his sidearm and yelled at her to drop the pan. She set the pot down and ducked behind a counter. But she appeared to pick it up again.
That's when Grayson opened fire on the 36-year-old single mother, shooting her in the face.
Grayson was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, which could have led to a life sentence, but a jury convicted him of the lesser charge. Illinois allows for a second-degree murder conviction if evidence shows the defendant honestly thought he was in danger, even if that fear was unreasonable.
Massey's family was outraged by the jury's decision.
“The justice system did exactly what it’s designed to do today. It’s not meant for us,” her cousin Sontae Massey said after the verdict.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
