Sean Grayson, a former deputy of Sangamon County Sheriff’s department, passed away on Sunday. Grayson, 32, was serving a 20-year sentence for the second-degree murder of Sonya Massey in 2024. Grayson’s attorney, Daniel L. Fultz, confirmed his death, sharing that Grayson had been battling Stage 4 colon cancer. The specific cause of death remains unconfirmed.

Grayson was found guilty in October of the previous year for shooting Massey in her home. He was sentenced to 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with an additional two years of mandatory supervised release. Last month, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board denied Grayson’s request for medical release, despite citing his advanced cancer diagnosis. CBS News Chicago has sought a response from the Department of Corrections but has not received it yet.

Details of the Sonya Massey Shooting

In July 2024, Sonya Massey, aged 36, called the police to report a potential prowler outside her home. Grayson and another officer responded. Inside the house, Grayson claimed Massey acted unpredictably and mentioned rebuking him “in the name of Jesus” as she moved toward a pot of water on her stove. Grayson’s partner’s bodycam footage captured Grayson shooting Massey, who later died from the gunshot wound.

The footage shows Grayson instructing Massey to drop the pot while issuing threats. Grayson shot Massey after she apologized and ducked for cover. The video records three gunshots, as detailed by prosecutors.

During the trial, Grayson’s partner, Dawson Farley, testified about the incident. He stated that he did not perceive Massey as a threat and was more afraid of Grayson’s actions. Farley explained he drew his weapon only after Grayson did so.