Family of murdered Illinois woman says justice denied after convict dies in prison
Sonya Massey's relatives say the death of former deputy Sean Grayson, who was serving a 20-year sentence for her killing, leaves them without the justice they sought.
Sonya Massey was shot to death in July 2024 after she called 911 to report a prowler at her home in Illinois. Former sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson entered her kitchen, ordered her to move a pot of hot water, and fired three shots, one of which struck Massey in the face. Grayson was convicted of second-degree murder last October and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Six months into his sentence, he died of stage-3 colon cancer while incarcerated.
Massey's cousin, Sontae Massey, told reporters that the family learned of Grayson’s death online rather than through direct notification and expressed that they feel “robbed of true justice.” He said the family had struggled to obtain information during the trial and that “true justice would be serving his full time, sick or not.”
Civil-rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, said Masse’s death was “unjustifiable” and noted that Grayson’s passing does not bring her back. Crump added that the family wishes peace for Grayson’s relatives while continuing to mourn their loss.