Sean Grayson, ex-Illinois deputy who fatally shot Sonya Massey over pot of hot water, dead in prison at 32
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Sean Grayson, the ex-Illinois sheriff’s deputy who was sentenced to two decades in prison for killing single mom Sonya Massey after she called 911 for help, has died, according to his attorney.
His defense attorney, Daniel Fultz, confirmed to The Post that Grayson, 32, died early Sunday.
The former deputy had been diagnosed with colon cancer before the 2024 shooting, and in January, his attorney noted that his cancer had advanced to his liver and lungs.
A three-member Illinois Prisoner Review Board voted unanimously in July to deny Grayson’s application for an early medical release. Fultz was unable to comment on whether Grayson’s death was related to his cancer diagnosis.
He was six months into his 20-year second-degree murder sentence for fatally shooting Massey in her Springfield, Illinois, home on July 6, 2024 after she called 911 about a possible prowler.
Grayson, who was white, shot Massey, a 36-year-old single black mother, in the face as she moved a pot of hot water from the stove and told him, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” body camera footage showed.
After Grayson yelled at Massey and pulled out his pistol, she said, “I’m sorry,” and ducked before the cop shot at her three times.
The officer then told his partner at the scene that he didn’t need to grab a medical kit to help Massey, who sustained a gunshot wound to her face, the footage showed.
Grayson and his attorneys argued that he feared Massey would scald him with the hot water.
The ex-deputy who served in Sangamon County was convicted of second-degree murder in October for the shooting — following protests over systemic racism and a US Department of Justice review.
He was handed the maximum possible prison sentence for the shooting in January.
Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, attorneys for Massey’s family, issued a statement on Sunday evening sending prayers to Grayson’s family but maintaining that his death “does not bring Sonya back.”
“Sonya Massey’s death was unjustifiable, and she should be alive today. Sean Grayson’s death in custody from cancer does not bring Sonya back,” the attorneys said in a statement to WLS.
“We wish his family prayers of peace, as we do for all who grieve a loved one. Sonya’s family knows that pain all too well and will grieve her loss the rest of their days.”
Attorneys for Massey’s family did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.