02/01/2026
Sonya Massey was 36 years old and a mother of two when she called police from her Springfield-area home in July 2024, seeking help with a possible issue outside her house. She did not expect that call to become life-changing for her family.
The responding officer, former sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, was later charged in connection with Sonya’s death. After months of legal proceedings, a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder.
Today, a judge sentenced Grayson to 20 years in prison. Sonya’s family filled the courtroom, many wearing purple, her favorite color, as they listened to the final decision. Several family members spoke about their grief, fear, and the absence left behind.
Though no sentence can replace a loved one, the family says they hope the outcome brings a sense of accountability and encourages reforms aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.
(Photo: Sonya Massey Family / Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office)
