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Sean Grayson, Former Sangamon County Deputy Convicted in Killing of Sonya Massey, Dies in Prison, Attorney Says
Attorney Daniel L. Fultz confirmed the death of the 32-year-old former deputy, who was serving a 20-year sentence for second-degree murder.
- On Sunday, August 23, 2026, Sean Grayson, the former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy convicted of murdering Sonya Massey in 2024, died in prison while serving a 20-year sentence.
- Battling stage 4 rectal cancer that had spread to his liver and lungs, Grayson sought early medical release under the Joe Coleman Medical Release Act. The Illinois Prisoner Review Board unanimously rejected his petition three weeks ago.
- A jury convicted Grayson of second-degree murder last October for the July 6, 2024 shooting. Body-worn camera footage showed Grayson fired his duty weapon three times after threatening to "Shoot in the f------ face" as she stood near a pot of boiling water.
- Massey family members celebrated the news on Facebook, with her son Malachi Hill stating the family can now begin their grieving process. "Now my family can start our grieving process," Hill said.
- State Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, championed stricter police background checks through state law to prevent future incidents. "It's also really comforting to the family that we are continuing to do what we can in our community," Turner said.
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Sean Grayson, ex-deputy convicted of fatally shooting Sonya Massey, dies, attorney says
Sean Grayson, the former Illinois sheriff’s deputy convicted of fatally shooting Sonya Massey in her home in 2024 after she called 911 to report a prowler, has died, his attorney said Sunday.
·New York, United States
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Sean Grayson, former cop convicted of killing Sonya Massey, dies
A white former cop convicted of killing a Black woman in her Springfield-area home two years ago died in prison Sunday, according to his legal team.Sean Grayson was battling stage 4 rectal cancer that had spread to his liver and lungs, and had in May requested an early medical release. A three-person state panel that handles all inmate release and clemency decisions unanimously denied Grayson’s request three weeks ago.
·Chicago, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources7
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 43%
C 57%
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