Deaths in Custody
Died in prison

Sean Grayson

32 years old · died August 23, 2026 · Illinois

Sean Grayson, 32, died on August 23, 2026, while held in Illinois state custody, according to his attorney, Daniel Fultz. His attorneys said he had been diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023 that had spread to his liver and lungs, and that he was receiving treatment at a location outside a corrections facility. In May he asked for compassionate medical release, and the Illinois Prisoner Review Board denied the request in July. His attorneys attributed his death to cancer, and the Illinois Department of Corrections has not publicly confirmed a cause of death.

Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness. His attorney Daniel Fultz said he died of Stage 4 colon cancer, the Illinois Department of Corrections spokesperson said he had advanced cancer, and Massey family attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci said his death was from cancer.

Reported by: Illinois Department of Corrections spokesperson Naomi Puzzello (the agency that held him); defense attorney Daniel Fultz (family or their lawyers); Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, attorneys for Sonya Massey's family (family or their lawyers).

News reports (36)

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