Former Illinois Officer, Sean Grayson, Passed Away From Cancer In Prison

Former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023. In 2025, he was convicted of second-degree murder after fatally shooting Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old woman, in her home in July 2024. He was sentenced to 20 years in jail in January 2026.

At the time of his sentencing, Grayson’s cancer had spread to his liver, lungs and rectum. One of his attorneys, Mark Wykoff was worried that prison would worsen his condition.

In 2024, Massey had called the police to report a potential prowler. Grayson and his partner were dispatched to the scene. Subsequently, Grayson entered Massey’s apartment. In her apartment, Massey had picked up a pot of boiling water from her stove, prompting Grayson to back away.

According to Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser’s recount of the case, Grayson asked Massey to get away from the “hot steaming water”. In response, Massey told Grayson, “Away from my hot steaming water? I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

Grayson then took out his gun and threatened to shoot Massey before Massey apologized and dropped to the floor. However, Grayson fired the gun three times and one shot struck Massey’s head, fatally wounding her.

Grayson filed for release under the Joe Coleman Act in May 2026, citing symptoms of advanced colon cancer. The Act applies to incarcerated people who are terminally ill or incapacitated. According to the guidelines, a person who is “terminally ill or incapacitated" is defined as either having a condition that will not improve or one that prevents them from performing normal daily living tasks unassisted.

After reviewing his application, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board has denied Grayson medical release from prison. As a part of the application, a medical professional had conducted an evaluation on Grayson and deemed his condition “irreversible and incurable”. The doctor also indicated that Grayson is likely to die within 18 months due to his cancer. However, Grayson was not deemed “incapacitated” and it was determined that he could take care of himself in daily life.

Additionally, Grayson appeared to show little remorse for his actions. In a handwritten letter included in the application, he wrote, “The female Sony (sic) Massey invited me inside. While inside she attacked me with a pot of boiling water and I fatally shot Ms. Massey.”

Shortly after his medical release request was rejected, Grayson passed away from his cancer. One of Grayson's attorney, Daniel Fultz, confirmed the news on Aug 23, 2026.

In response to the news, Massey's attorneys released a statement, sharing, "Grayson's death in custody from cancer does not bring Sonya back. 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."

According to the National Cancer Institute, the five year relative survival rate for colorectal cancer that has spread to distant organs is approximately 13%. Depending on the extent and site of spread, treatment for stage 4 colon cancer may differ.