Sean Grayson, the former Illinois sheriff’s deputy convicted of killing Sonya Massey after responding to her 911 call, has died, his attorney said Sunday. Grayson was six months into a 20-year sentence for second-degree murder.
Grayson, 32, had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2023; by the time of his January sentencing his lawyers said the disease had advanced to Stage 4 and spread to his liver, lungs and rectum. In July he was denied medical release by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. It was not immediately clear whether cancer was the cause of his death, his attorney said.
The shooting occurred shortly before 1 a.m. on July 6, 2024, after Massey called 911 to report a prowler. Body-worn camera footage of the encounter was later released and helped spark protests and calls for accountability. According to testimony and the video, Massey picked up a pot of boiling water from her stove, and Grayson backed away. He has said he interpreted Massey’s repeated words, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” as a threat.
Court evidence shows Grayson pointed his gun at Massey and threatened to shoot; she apologized and dropped to the floor, but he fired three times, striking her. Prosecutors said Grayson declined to render medical aid. Massey, 36, was pronounced dead at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
At sentencing the prosecution cited Massey’s last words — she told Grayson “I’m sorry” before she was shot — to underscore the tragedy. The case prompted changes in state policy: Illinois enacted the Sonya Massey Act, which imposes stricter background checks for law enforcement hires, and the law took effect at the start of the year. Sangamon County officials also reached a $10 million settlement with Massey’s family in early 2025.