Sean Grayson, the former Illinois sheriff’s deputy convicted in the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, has died while serving a 20-year prison sentence. His attorney, Daniel Fultz, confirmed that Grayson died Sunday, Aug. 23, but did not provide additional details about the circumstances of his death.

Grayson, 32, was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2024 shooting of Massey, a 36-year-old woman who had called 911 to report a possible prowler outside her home near Springfield, Illinois.

Sean Grayson Sonya Massey Case Ends With Grayson’s Death

The Sean Grayson Sonya Massey case drew national attention after body-camera footage showed the encounter between Grayson, another deputy and Massey inside her home on July 6, 2024.

According to the Associated Press, Massey went into her kitchen after deputies responded to her call. She was holding a pot of hot water when Grayson ordered her to put it down and threatened to shoot. Massey apologized and moved behind a counter before Grayson fired three shots.

The other deputy at the scene, Dawson Farley, later testified that he did not view Massey as a threat and only drew his own weapon after Grayson had done so.

Grayson was fired from the sheriff’s office following the shooting and was initially charged with first-degree murder. At trial, his defense argued that he believed Massey could throw the hot water at him.

A jury ultimately convicted him of the lesser charge of second-degree murder.

Grayson Was Serving a 20-Year Prison Sentence

Grayson was sentenced in January 2026 to the maximum 20-year prison term for the second-degree murder conviction. He was also expected to serve two years of mandatory supervised release after his prison sentence.

His death came only months after he began serving the sentence.

Grayson had been dealing with advanced colon cancer. His attorneys had previously said that the disease had progressed and affected other organs. In May, they sought medical release, arguing that his serious medical condition justified allowing him to leave prison. The Illinois Prisoner Review Board rejected that request in July.

His attorney confirmed Grayson’s death but did not publicly disclose a cause of death. Other reports noted his serious cancer diagnosis, but officials had not initially confirmed that the illness was the direct cause of his death.

What Happened to Sonya Massey?

Sonya Massey called 911 during the early hours of July 6, 2024, because she believed someone was outside her home.

Grayson and another Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy responded to the call. What followed was captured in body-camera footage that later became central evidence in the case.

Massey’s death sparked widespread protests and renewed discussions about police use of force, officer hiring practices and interactions between law enforcement and people experiencing behavioral or mental-health crises.

The case also raised questions about Grayson’s previous employment with other law enforcement agencies.

Sonya Massey Act Passed in Illinois

The impact of the Sonya Massey case extended beyond the criminal trial.

Illinois lawmakers subsequently passed legislation known as the Sonya Massey Act. The law requires law enforcement agencies to conduct more thorough reviews of an applicant’s previous employment records before hiring officers.

The U.S. Department of Justice also investigated the circumstances surrounding Massey’s death. A later agreement involving Sangamon County and related agencies called for changes to policing and emergency response, including additional training and the development of a mobile crisis response program.

Grayson’s Death Does Not Change Massey’s Legacy

The death of Sean Grayson closes another chapter in a case that has continued to affect Sonya Massey’s family and communities across Illinois.

Massey’s killing became a national symbol in discussions about police accountability and the use of deadly force.

Her family has continued to seek accountability and remember Massey beyond the circumstances of her death.

Grayson’s death while serving his sentence does not alter the jury’s verdict or the 20-year sentence he received for second-degree murder.

As of Aug. 24, 2026, his attorney had confirmed the death but had not provided further details about the circumstances.

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