Former Illinois sheriff’s deputy who killed Sonya Massey in her home dies aged 32

Sean Grayson, who was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer in 2023, was serving a 20-year sentence for second-degree murder

Former Illinois sheriff’s deputy who killed Sonya Massey in her home dies aged 32

TL;DR

  • Sean Grayson, who killed Sonya Massey, died on Sunday while serving a 20-year sentence.
  • Grayson was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer in 2023, with the disease spreading to his liver and lungs.
  • He was denied medical release in July.
  • Grayson shot Massey, a Black woman, in her home after she reported a prowler and he claimed she threatened him with boiling water.
  • The case sparked protests over systemic racism and led to the Sonya Massey Act, requiring stricter background checks for law enforcement hires.
  • Sangamon County agreed to a $10 million settlement for Massey's family.