Sonya Massey’s Family Expresses Shock After Cop Who Gunned Her Down Dies Six Months Into Lengthy Prison Sentence: ‘Not What Justice Looks Like’

The family of a black woman who was shot dead by a former Illinois sheriff’s deputy were left shocked when her killer died just months into his lengthy prison sentence.

Sean Grayson, 32, was pronounced dead around noon on Sunday, after serving only six months into his 20-year sentence for the second-degree murder of Sonya Massey, attorney Daniel Fultz told NBC News.

Grayson had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2023, defense attorney Mark Wykoff revealed at his sentencing in January.

He was denied medical release by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board last month, after his attorneys claimed the cancer had progressed to Stage 4 and spread to his liver and lungs.

But Massey’s cousin, Sontae Massey, said the woman’s mother, son and daughter were initially struggling to accept the news of Grayson’s death, saying ‘they want to see his body.’

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Grayson had been convicted of second-degree murder in October and was handed the maximum 20-year sentence in January for the July 2024 killing.

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Massey, a single mother, had called 911 early that morning because she believed a prowler was lurking outside her home.

Grayson and another Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy searched the property but found no intruder before entering the home to question her.

He then directed Massey to remove a pot of boiling water from the stove, telling her: ‘We don’t need a fire alarm here.’

As the other deputy stepped away from the pot, Massey told the officers: ‘I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.’

Grayson responded: ‘I’ll f***ing shoot you right in the f***ing face,’ and drew his gun.

Massey apologized and dropped to the floor, but Grayson moved toward her and fired three times.

One bullet struck Massey in the head and killed her.

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