A man with a prior conviction for sexual assault has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the murder of a visiting nurse in Willimantic, Connecticut — a case that has fueled nationwide calls for stronger protections for home health care workers.
Michael Reese, 40, pleaded guilty to murder in the October 28, 2023, killing of 63-year-old Joyce Grayson at the halfway house where he was living under electronic monitoring. Reese was on probation at the time after serving more than 14 years in prison for a 2006 stabbing and sexual assault.
The sentence, handed down Friday at Danielson Superior Court, is part of a plea deal and does not allow for early release or parole. Reese, wearing a tan prison uniform and black face mask, remained silent during the hearing while his attorneys apologized on his behalf.
A Routine Visit Turns Deadly
Grayson, a nurse for 36 years and a mother of six, was making a scheduled visit to administer medication to Reese. When she failed to show up for later appointments that day, her daughter used a phone location app to track her to Reese’s address and alerted police.
Officers arrested Reese as he exited the rear of the home. Inside, they found Grayson dead in the basement, naked from the waist down except for socks. The medical examiner ruled her death a homicide caused by compression of the neck, with blunt force injuries. Authorities said there was no DNA evidence of sexual assault.
In recorded prison calls, Reese appeared to allude to the killing, calling it “a robbery gone wrong” and blaming drug use. At the time of his arrest, he was in possession of a crack cocaine pipe and some of Grayson’s belongings.
Criminal Charges and Legal Fallout
Reese was charged in April 2024 with murder, felony murder, and attempted first-degree sexual assault. He had been in custody since the day of the killing, initially on drug paraphernalia and larceny charges.
Grayson’s death quickly became a flashpoint in Connecticut, prompting lawmakers to pass legislation aimed at improving safety for home health care workers. The law funds emergency alert devices, buddy escort systems, GPS tracking, and safety training for those visiting patients in their homes.
National Attention on Workplace Violence
The murder drew widespread attention from nursing organizations and worker advocates nationwide. Many pointed to a growing problem of violence against health care workers. A 2023 survey by National Nurses United, the largest U.S. nurses’ union, found that more than 80% of nurses had experienced workplace violence that year, with nearly half reporting an increase from 2022.
Attorney Kelly Reardon, representing Grayson’s family, said no sentence could heal the loss. “They hope Joyce’s death will inspire others — including the State of Connecticut — to pass legislation and make significant changes in how violent offenders are monitored and how nurses are protected,” she said.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit and OSHA Fine
Grayson’s husband, Ronald Grayson, has filed a $25 million wrongful death lawsuit against her employer, Elara Caring, its affiliates, and others. The suit alleges the company ignored repeated safety concerns about dangerous patients, which Elara denies.
In May 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed a $161,000 fine against Elara, claiming it exposed staff to workplace violence. The Dallas-based company disputed the citation, entered remediation, and reached a resolution with OSHA, though details remain undisclosed.
Grayson’s family is also seeking permission to sue the state’s Judicial Branch and Department of Correction for their handling of Reese’s probation. State officials have declined to comment.
A Legacy of Change
Elara Caring issued a statement following Reese’s sentencing: “We continue to grieve Joyce’s loss and are grateful the justice system has delivered accountability through this conviction and sentencing.”
For Grayson’s family and colleagues, the tragedy is a permanent reminder of the dangers faced by health care workers — and a call to ensure her death leads to meaningful change in protecting those who care for others.
