The Aporia · Sean Grayson, ex-deputy convicted of fatally shooting Sonya Massey, dies, attorney says

Former Illinois sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson, convicted of fatally shooting Sonya Massey in her home in 2024, has died at the age of 32, according to his attorney Daniel Fultz. Grayson was six months into serving a 20-year sentence for second-degree murder and had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer that had progressed to Stage 4 and spread to other parts of his body. The cause of death is not immediately clear. Grayson's case led to the passage of the Sonya Massey Act, which requires stricter background checks for law enforcement hires, and a $10 million settlement to Massey's family was agreed upon by Sangamon County officials in 2025.

Written by AI on 2026-08-24, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

Story summary

Sean Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff's deputy, died on Sunday at the age of 32 while serving a 20-year sentence for fatally shooting Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, inside her home in Springfield. Grayson was convicted of second-degree murder in October and had been battling Stage 4 colon cancer, which had spread to his liver, lungs, and rectum. He died just six months into his sentence. The shooting occurred on July 6, 2024, after Massey called 911 to report a prowler, and Grayson responded to the call. Body camera video showed that Massey was apologizing moments before Grayson shot her in the face. Massey's family feels that Grayson's death does not bring them justice, as they wanted him to serve his full sentence.

Written for “Former Deputy's Prison Death” on 2026-11-03, grounded in this article and the 4 other(s) covering the same event.

📰 Former Deputy's Prison Death

Crime & Law · 5 article(s) covering the same event. Compare every outlet's account →

This article reads leans left and hedges 10% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.

Sean Grayson, former deputy convicted of killing Sonya Massey, dies in prison, lawyer says Same event

NPR

⚖️ Leans left Hedges 1 of 20 claims Outlet record 60/100

Sean Grayson, convicted in killing of Sonya Massey, dies in prison, attorney says Same event

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⚖️ Leans left Hedges 1 of 23 claims Outlet record 66/100

Sonya Massey’s family feel robbed of ‘true justice’ after cop who murdered her dies Same event

New York Post

⚖️ Leans left Hedges 1 of 22 claims Outlet record 66/100

Sonya Massey’s family says death of sheriff’s deputy who killed her ‘doesn’t feel like justice’ Same event

The Guardian

⚖️ Leans left Hedges 2 of 24 claims Outlet record 66/100

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NBC News · 2026 article(s) · 1 correction(s) detected

Running correction rate · 1 correction(s)

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Grayson, 32, was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2023, and it had progressed to Stage 4 and spread to his liver, lungs and rectum, another defense attorney, Mark Wykoff, said at his sentencing in January.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-08-24

🔮 That is the last thing Sonya Massey said before the defendant murdered her, just like he said he would.”

2026-08-24 · NBC News

Sean Grayson, ex-deputy convicted of fatally shooting Sonya Massey, dies, attorney says · assertive framing

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. asserted

attorney → convict → prowler

Daniel Fultz, the attorney who represented Grayson during his murder trial, said he died around noon. asserted

he → represent → noon

attorney → diagnose → January

In July, he was denied medical release by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. asserted

he → deny → Board

It was not immediately clear whether cancer is what caused Grayson’s death. asserted

what → cause → death

Grayson shot Massey, 36, after he responded to her 911 call shortly before 1 a.m. July 6, 2024. asserted

he → shoot → July

The shooting, which was captured on body camera video, set off protests and calls for justice. asserted

which → capture → justice

Grayson was convicted last year. asserted

Grayson → convict → ?

During the 911 response, Massey picked up a pot of boiling water from her stove, prompting Grayson to back away, according to court testimony. uncertain

Massey → pick → testimony

Grayson testified that he believed Massey was going to throw the boiling water on him after she said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” asserted

I → testify → Jesus

When Grayson looked confused, Massey repeated the sentence. asserted

Massey → look → sentence

He testified that he took the remark as a threat. asserted

he → testify → threat

Grayson pointed his gun at Massey and threatened to shoot her, according to body camera video. uncertain

Grayson → point → video

She apologized and dropped to the floor, but he fired three times, striking her. asserted

he → apologize → her

Grayson declined to offer medical care, Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser said in court. asserted

Milhiser → decline → court

Massey was pronounced dead at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. asserted

Massey → pronounce → Springfield

First Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Beth Rodgers said in court: “‘I’m sorry.’ asserted

I → say → court

That is the last thing Sonya Massey said before the defendant murdered her, just like he said he would.” asserted

he → say → her

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Sonya Massey Act, a law requiring stricter background checks for law enforcement hires, and it went into effect at the beginning of the year. asserted

it → sign → year

Sangamon County officials agreed in early 2025 to pay a $10 million settlement to Massey’s family. asserted

officials → agree → family

Sean Grayson, ex-deputy convicted of fatally shooting Sonya Massey, dies, attorney says

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