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Sean Grayson, the former sheriff's deputy convicted of murdering Sonya Massey, has died in prison.

Sean Grayson, a former Sangamon County sheriff's deputy, died on August 23 at approximately noon. He was serving a 20-year sentence for the second-degree murder of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old woman who was fatally shot in her home in July 2024. Grayson was convicted after responding to a 911 call regarding a possible prowler. While Massey held a pot of boiling water, Grayson believed her statement, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus," was a threat and fired three times. The shooting was captured on body-worn camera footage, which drew significant public attention. Prior to his death, Grayson was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer that had spread to his liver, lungs, and rectum. He had recently requested early release due to his medical condition, but the Illinois Prisoner Review Board denied the request in a July hearing. Grayson was sentenced to the maximum penalty by Judge Ryan Cadagin. Sangamon County has since agreed to a $10 million settlement for the Massey family.

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