An autopsy released on Friday confirmed that Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who was fatally shot by a former sheriff’s deputy, died from a gunshot wound to the head. The full report, made public by Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon, supports earlier findings that her death was a homicide.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Massey’s family, criticized the shooting as “senseless, unnecessary, and excessive.” Crump highlighted the physical disparity between Massey and the now-fired deputy, Sean Grayson, during a press conference.The autopsy revealed that Massey, who was 5-foot-4 and 112 pounds, was shot just beneath her left eye, with the bullet exiting her lower neck in a downward trajectory.
Grayson, who is white and stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 228 pounds, has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder and official misconduct. Fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office last week, he is currently being held without bond.
Crump used an enlarged autopsy diagram to emphasize the physical mismatch between Grayson and Massey, arguing that her position at the time of the shooting—stooped and apologizing—demonstrates the excessive nature of the force used. “When Sonya Massey was staring at the barrel of his gun, she stooped down, said, ‘Sorry, sir, Sorry,’ and the bullet was shot while she was in this stooped position,” Crump said.
Authorities reported that Massey had called 911 to report a suspected prowler. Two deputies responded to her Springfield home, located about 200 miles southwest of Chicago. Video footage confirmed that Grayson, aiming his 9mm pistol at Massey, threatened to shoot her in the face if she did not set down a pot of hot water. He fired three shots.
After the shooting, Grayson reportedly dismissed the need for medical assistance, stating, “She done. You can go get it, but that’s a head shot. There’s nothing you can do, man.” Despite his initial refusal, the second deputy attempted to provide aid until emergency medical professionals arrived.
Massey had a history of mental illness, and her family reported that she had recently entered and briefly exited a 30-day inpatient program in St. Louis. Her son, 17-year-old Malachi Hill Massey, mentioned that police had been called to their home the day before the shooting. Malachi indicated that his mother had sought medical help but returned home without explanation.