Former Illinois sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson died of colon cancer after serving just six months of a 20-year prison term for murdering Sonya Massey in 2024. The family was not directly notified of his death and found out online. According to Sonya's cousin Sontae, the family feels robbed of "true justice" because Grayson did not serve his full sentence, with Sontae stating that "I don't think any black American can achieve true justice." Grayson shot and killed Sonya during a 911 call after he entered her home.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-25,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Sean Grayson, a 32-year-old former Illinois sheriff's deputy, has died while serving his 20-year sentence for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman. Massey was shot by Grayson in her home in Sangamon County, Illinois after she called 911 to report a prowler on July 6, 2024. The incident was captured on body camera video and sparked protests and calls for justice. Grayson was convicted of second-degree murder last year and had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2023, which progressed to Stage 4 and spread to his liver, lungs, and rectum.
Grayson's death has left Massey's family feeling robbed of "true justice." Her cousin, Sontae Massey, said that the family was not notified directly about Grayson's death and had to read about it online. The family believes that Grayson should have served his full sentence, even if he was ill. In a statement, Sontae Massey said, "It doesn't feel like justice to me... Sonya should still be here. That is the loss we are still living with."
Written for “Ex-Deputy's Prison Death Sentence” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 4 other(s) covering the same event.
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The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
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Leaning score -0.60 for article 2180 (high confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-27
Sonya Massey’s family believes they were robbed of “true justice” after former Illinois sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, who was convicted in her murder, died of colon cancer just six months into a 20-year prison term.
asserted
who → believe → term
Her cousin, Sontae Massey, said they weren’t even directly notified Grayson, 32, had died, and had to read about it online.
asserted
Grayson → say → it
“None of us are OK,” Sontae told TMZ.
asserted
Sontae → tell → TMZ
“This is not what justice looks like to us,” he said, adding, “I don’t think any black American can achieve true justice.
asserted
American → look → justice
I think we got as good as we could get.”
uncertain
we → think → ?
Sontae claimed the family had difficulties getting information since Grayson’s trial began.
asserted
trial → claim → information
“True justice would be serving his full time.
asserted
justice → serve → time
Sick or not,” he said of Grayson, who was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer months before the fatal shooting.
asserted
who → say → shooting
Sontae informed Sonya’s mother, son and daughter of the news — and they didn’t believe him at first, he said, adding: “They want to see his body.”
asserted
They → inform → body
Grayson shot and killed Sonya in July 2024 after she called 911 to report a prowler.
asserted
she → shoot → prowler
When Grayson entered her home, Sonya was standing at her stove, and he ordered her to remove a pot of hot water from the burner.
asserted
he → enter → burner
She picked up the pot, and told the responding deputies, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
asserted
I → pick → Jesus
Grayson drew his service pistol and threatened to shoot her.
asserted
Grayson → draw → her
Sonya apologized and ducked behind her kitchen counter before Grayson fired three times, one shot striking the mother of two in the face.
asserted
shot → apologize → face
The family’s lawyer, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, said this week that “Sonya Massey’s death was unjustifiable and she should be alive today.”
asserted
she → say → ?
“Sean Grayson’s death in custody from cancer does not bring Sonya back.
asserted
death → bring → Sonya
“We wish his family prayers of peace, as we do for all who grieve a loved one.
asserted
who → wish → one
Sonya’s family knows that pain all too well and will grieve her loss the rest of their days.”
asserted
family → know → days
This booking photo shows Sean Grayson on July 17, 2024, in Springfield, Ill.
asserted
photo → show → Springfield
AP
Donna Massey (C) wipes tears from her face as she listens to Rev. Al Sharpton speak during a news conference on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Chicago.
asserted
Sharpton → wipe → Chicago
Macon County Jail via AP
Sonya Massey talks with Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson outside her home in Springfield, Ill., in this image from body camera video released on Monday, July 22, 2024.
asserted
Massey → talk → Monday
Illinois State Police via AP
Grayson, left, points his gun at Sonya Massey, who called 911 for help, before shooting and killing her inside her home in Springfield, Ill., July 6, 2024.
asserted
who → point → Springfield
