Key facts
- Former Illinois sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson, convicted of murdering Sonya Massey, has died in prison.
- Grayson was serving a 20-year sentence for second-degree murder.
- He was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer that had spread to his liver and lungs.
- Massey's family stated that Grayson's death does not provide justice or bring back her life.
- Sangamon County officials agreed to a $10 million settlement for Massey's family.
- The Sonya Massey Act, mandating stricter background checks for police hires, was signed into law.
The family of Sonya Massey has stated that the death of former Illinois sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson, who was convicted of her murder, does not equate to justice. Grayson died in prison six months into his 20-year sentence for the second-degree murder of Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman. He had been diagnosed with stage three colon cancer that had spread to his liver and lungs.
Sontae Massey, a cousin of the victim, expressed in a statement that Grayson's death does not bring back Sonya's life, return her to her two children, or provide the accountability the family is still seeking. He noted that the loss of his aunt's daughter is a devastation they continue to live with.
Grayson, who was white, shot Massey in her Springfield, Illinois home on July 6, 2024, after responding to a prowler report she had called in. Body camera footage showed Grayson pointing his gun at Massey after she picked up a pot of boiling water, which he interpreted as a threat. Despite Massey dropping to the floor and apologizing, Grayson fired three times, striking her in the face. Jurors were informed that Grayson declined to offer her first aid.
The case led to anti-racism protests and a federal justice department review. In response, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the Sonya Massey Act, which mandates stricter background checks for police hires. Sangamon County officials also agreed to a $10 million settlement for Massey's family, expected in early 2025.
Sontae Massey also shared that his family has been asked to carry an immense burden, particularly Sonya's mother, Donna, and that Grayson's death adds another layer of grief. He concluded by stating his own anger regarding the situation.