Autopsy reveals Sonya Massey died from a gunshot to the head

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Autopsy results released Friday on Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old black woman shot to death in her Illinois home by a now-fired sheriff’s deputy accused in his deathconfirm that she died from a gunshot to the head.

Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon had previously released initial findings into Massey’s July 6 death in Springfield and the full autopsy report released Friday confirmed those findings, including that his death was a homicide.

The report states that in addition to the bullet hitting just below his left eye, Massey had “minor blunt force injuries” to his right leg and weighed 112 pounds.

The autopsy results were released shortly before civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents Massey’s family, held a news conference in Springfield.

Now-fired Deputy Sheriff Sean Grayson, who is white, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm and official misconduct charges in Massey’s killing. He was fired last week by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said Massey called 911 to report a suspected burglar. Two deputies eventually showed up at her home in Springfield, about 200 miles southwest of Chicago.

Sheriff’s body camera video was released Monday confirmed prosecutors’ earlier account of the tense moment when Grayson shouted to Massey across the counter to put on a pot of hot water. He then threatened to shoot the unarmed woman, Massey ducked and stood up briefly, and Grayson fired his pistol at her. Massey was hit three times, fatally shot in the head.

Records show that Grayson’s career included short stints as a part-time officer in three small police departments and a full-time job in a fourth department, as well as full-time work at two sheriff’s offices, all in central Illinois. .

James Wilburn, Massey’s father, called on Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell to resign.

“I want to tell you the sheriff here is a disgrace,” Wilburn said. “This man (Grayson) should never have had a badge. And he should never have had a gun. He should never have had the opportunity to kill my son.”