Former Illinois sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, has died at the age of 32, according to his attorney.

Grayson died early Sunday while serving his sentence, his defense lawyer Daniel Fultz confirmed. The former deputy had previously been diagnosed with colon cancer, which his attorney said had later spread to other parts of his body. Officials did not confirm whether his death was connected to his illness.

Grayson was only months into his prison sentence after being convicted in the 2024 shooting death of Massey, a 36-year-old mother who had called 911 seeking help at her Springfield, Illinois home.

The case drew national attention after body camera footage showed the encounter between Grayson and Massey. Prosecutors argued that the shooting was unjustified, while Grayson’s defense claimed he believed he was facing a threat.

A jury later found Grayson guilty of second-degree murder, and he received the maximum sentence allowed.

Following his death, attorneys representing Massey’s family released a statement expressing sympathy for Grayson’s relatives while emphasizing that his passing could not undo the loss of Sonya Massey.

“Sonya Massey’s death was unjustifiable, and she should be alive today,” the family’s attorneys said.

Massey’s death sparked widespread discussions about police conduct, accountability and the use of force, leading to protests and further scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

For Sonya Massey’s loved ones, the tragedy remains a painful reminder of a life lost too soon — a mother whose family continues to grieve her absence.