Sean Grayson, the former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy who was recently sentenced to 20 years in prison for the killing of Sonya Massey, has died. Grayson’s attorney confirmed the news of his death to media outlets, though specific details regarding the cause or circumstances of his passing have not been publicly disclosed by prison authorities at this time.

Grayson had been serving his sentence following a high-profile trial that drew national attention to police conduct and the use of force. In July 2024, Grayson shot and killed 36-year-old Sonya Massey inside her home after she called 911 to report a suspected prowler. Body camera footage of the incident was released publicly, showing Grayson firing his weapon at Massey after she moved a pot of boiling water from her stove. The incident sparked widespread protests and calls for police reform across Illinois and the United States.

Following the shooting, Grayson was fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and subsequently charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. He pleaded guilty to the charges in September 2024 as part of a plea agreement. His death brings a sudden end to the legal proceedings surrounding his incarceration, though the broader conversation regarding the circumstances of Massey’s death and the subsequent policy debates remain ongoing.