Former Illinois sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, who was convicted of fatally shooting Sonya Massey at her Springfield home in July 2024 after she called 911 to report a prowler, has died.

Grayson’s attorney, Daniel Fultz, who represented him during the murder trial, said the former deputy died around noon on Sunday (local time), NBC reported. He was about six months into a 20-year sentence for second-degree murder.

In 2024, Grayson shot 36-year-old Massey after responding to her emergency call. The incident was recorded on a body camera, and the footage later sparked protests and widespread demands for justice.

Court testimony showed that Massey picked up a pot of boiling water from her stove while the deputies responded to the 911 call, causing Grayson to move away. He later testified that he believed Massey was about to throw the boiling water at him after she said, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” When Grayson appeared confused, she repeated the statement.

Grayson then threatened to shoot Massey. She apologised and got down on the floor, but the former deputy fired three shots at her, striking her, according to prosecutors.

Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser said in court that Grayson declined to provide medical care to Massey, who was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Nearly two weeks after Massey was killed, Grayson, who was 31 at the time, was fired from his position and charged with three counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated battery and one count of official misconduct. He pleaded not guilty and remained in custody while awaiting trial. Prosecutors later dropped the two lesser charges.

He was convicted in October 2025 of second-degree murder for Massey’s killing.

Grayson had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2023, according to another defense lawyer, Mark Wykoff, who disclosed the diagnosis during his sentencing in January.

In July, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board rejected Grayson’s request for medical release, AP reported. On July 31, the three-member board voted unanimously to deny his application for early medical release, board spokesperson Liz Mitchell said in an email.

According to a copy of his application published by Capitol News Illinois, Grayson filed for early release from prison in May, roughly six months into his sentence. During his sentencing in January, the former deputy apologised for Massey’s death. However, in the release application, he wrote that the 36-year-old Black woman had attacked him with a pot of boiling water.

Opposing Grayson’s release, Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser noted in a letter to the board that the former deputy’s medical condition had already been considered when he was sentenced to 20 years.

Milhiser wrote, "To release Grayson under these circumstances would be a miscarriage of justice," and added, "and an insult to Sonya Massey's memory and family."

However, it remains unclear whether Grayson died because of cancer.

Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.

Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.

At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.

Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.

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