A former Illinois sheriff’s deputy, Sean Grayson, has been denied early medical release from his 20-year prison sentence for killing Sonya Massey inside her Springfield home. Massey, a Black single mother, had called 911 about a possible prowler before the fatal shooting.

Grayson, who was diagnosed with colon cancer prior to the 2024 shooting, had his cancer advance to his liver and lungs, according to his attorney. Despite this, the three-member Illinois prisoner review board voted unanimously on Friday, July 31, 2026, to reject his application for early medical release. Panel spokesperson Liz Mitchell confirmed the decision via email.

Grayson was convicted in October 2025 of second-degree murder and received the maximum sentence of 20 years in January 2026. Body-camera footage showed Grayson and another deputy entering Massey’s home, after which Grayson shot the 36-year-old in the face as she moved a pot of hot water from the stove, telling him, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

Grayson filed for early release in May 2026, six months into his sentence, as reported by Capitol News Illinois. Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser opposed the release, stating in a letter to the board that Grayson’s medical condition had already been considered during sentencing.

Attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, representing Massey’s family, supported the board’s decision, saying it was the right one.

Sources