Sonya Massey's family shares treasured memories

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - A kind, peaceful, and loving woman. That's how Sonya's family say they will always remember her.

"Every time she called me this first thing she would say is, 'I love you, Uncle," said Raymond Massey, Sonya Massey's Uncle. "She called to tell me about either her kids or her accomplishments... I'll miss those phone calls and her beautiful face."

Shadia Massey, Sonya's cousin talked about her love for everyone around. She says this kindness was obvious in the way she spoke to the Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy who shot her.

"That's kind of a Massey thing, we love everybody," said Shadia Massey. "Sonya's last words to the person who killed her were I love you."

The family, and their attorney Ben Crump, say Sonya would still be alive if she was White. They also say her mental health had a big role in how the deputies treated her.

"I retired out of EMS after 23 years and I know that when we come up to someone that's in trouble we would call not law enforcement, but it's a CIT. The crisis intervention training individual will respond," said Raymond Massey.

"And there was a lot of things in the initial time what he was speaking, there was a lot of red flags that he should have immediately called someone that can deal with individual with mental illness. And I believe most places have some type of training with mental illness. I feel that she was failed."

Sonya's son shared that she had travelled to St. Louis to check into a mental health facility for 30 days. He said she was released after 2, but he doesn't know why.

Massey's family members said many of them have been struggling with nightmares and often feel uneasy. They worry about what would have happened if her children were at home that night.

"What stands out the most is how heinous it was and how disrespectful it was, the world has seen the video," said Raymond Massey.

The family says they have been encouraged by all of the rallies, artwork, and messages of support. Shadia Massey says it is helping her get through this difficult time.

"It has been wonderful. I have not seen this in my life. I never would imagine, but just the community and the the Facebook post and the cars and the everything that I've seen. This is great. It is wonderful and we appreciate everyone."