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Sean Grayson, the former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy convicted of murdering Sonya Massey in her home in 2024, died on Sunday.
Attorney Daniel L. Fultz, who served as Grayson’s attorney, confirmed the news on Sunday.
Grayson had been battling Stage 4 colon cancer, for which he was undergoing treatment.
Grayson, 32, was found guilty last October of second-degree murder for the shooting of Sonya Massey and was serving a 20-year sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections, which was to be followed by two years of mandatory supervised release.
Last month, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board rejected Grayson’s medical release request and ordered him to remain in prison, despite the application citing advanced colon cancer.
CBS News Chicago has reached out to the Department of Corrections, but has yet to hear back.
Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, the Attorneys for Massey’s family, responded to Grayson’s death in a statement saying, in part, “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.”
What happened in the Sonya Massey shooting?
In July 2024, 36-year-old Massey called police for help for a possible prowler outside her home. Grayson, along with another officer, responded to her home and spoke with her.
While inside the home, Grayson said Massey began acting erratically and saying that she rebuked him “in the name of Jesus” while walking towards a pot of water on her stove.
Bodycam video from Grayson’s partner captured the moment he shot Massey, who died of a gunshot wound.
Grayson’s body camera was not activated for most of the call, only turning on shortly after he pulled his weapon.
In the bodycam video, while Massey is holding the pot of water, Grayson is heard saying: “You’d better f***ing not. I swear to God, I’ll f***ing shoot you right in your f***ing face.”
He then raises his gun and yells at Massey to “drop the f***ing pot!”
Massey apologizes and ducks for cover, at which point Grayson shot her, according to prosecutors. Three shots are heard in the video.
Grayson’s former partner, Dawson Farley testified during the trial that he was not afraid of Massey during the call, but instead feared Grayson. Farley told the jury that, while he was confused after Massey said “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” he never perceived that as a threat. He added he only unholstered his gun because Grayson did.
