Sean Grayson, a former police officer in Illinois who was found guilty of killing Sonya Massey after she called 911 for assistance, passed away on Sunday in jail, according to his attorney, Daniel Fultz.
Grayson, 32, was given a 20-year word for second-degree crime and spent about six months in state prison.
According to Fullz, Grayson passed away at lunch, but he did not give a reason. The original officer had colon cancer that had advanced to step 4 and had spread to the liver and lungs. Due to health reasons, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board unanimously rejected his ask for release in July.
The panel rejected Grayson's request to leave prison due to his illness less than a month prior to his death.
When Massey, a 36-year-old dark woman, called 911 because she feared there would be an attacker outside her house near Springfield, the circumstance dates back to July 6, 2024.
Before speaking with Massey, Grayson and another adviser, Dawson Farley, visited the home and examined the roof.
A dish with boiling water was ordered by Grayson to eliminate it from the kitchen. The woman opened the box and said," I reprimand you in the name of Jesus," during the conversation.
Grayson instructed him to relieve the bowl after pulling his gun. Massey dumped the pot on the ground and hid behind a table, but he never recovered.
The former police officer claimed during the trial that he thought Massey may try to throw him boiling waters, but the jury found him guilty of second-degree murder in October 2025, a lesser charge than the first one he immediately faced.
Judge David Cadagin questioned Grayson's performance during the word and claimed that he had shown a "rape of rage" while meeting with Massey.
Because Massey had requested assistance from the authorities and ended up dead inside her own home, the event sparked anger in the United States.
The second Grayson fired at her was captured in images from the system cameras. The various agent who entered the house was never charged and did not use his tool.
Additionally, his performance sparked an investigation into Sangamon County procedures by the U. S. Department of Justice.
A result of the federal investigation was reached that required the region to improve its police training in de-escalation techniques, obtain more data on the use of pressure, and boost hiring procedures.
Sangamon County approved a$ 10 million agreement with the victim's home in February 2025.
