Summer House star West Wilson’s cousin Dakota Sweeney was arrested and charged for allegedly murdering their grandmother Gayle R. Wilson at her home one day before West filmed the season 10 reunion.
By Joelle Goldstein Apr 29, 2026 9:15 PMTags
Summer House’s West Wilson Clarifies Amanda Batula Relationship Timeline
West Wilson’s family is facing an unimaginable tragedy.
The Summer House star's cousin Dakota Sweeney was arrested in Missouri and charged with allegedly murdering their grandmother Gayle R. Wilson, Carroll County authorities told TMZ.
The incident unfolded at a residence in Carrollton around 10:30 p.m. on April 22, according to a probable cause statement viewed by E! News.
Following reports about a homicide, police arrived on scene to find Gayle, 75, dead inside the home. Dakota was still there at the time, as well as a witness—identified as Dakota’s other grandparent, presumably Gayle’s husband Roger Wilson—who told authorities they saw the 28-year-old shoot Gayle with a handgun, per the doc.
The witness alleged that Dakota and Gayle had been arguing earlier in the night about Dakota “not assisting with chores around the residence.” But the situation turned deadly later on, when Dakota—who was “seated on a separate couch next to” Gayle for close to 30 minutes, per the doc—suddenly shot her “without warning.”
Dakota was subsequently taken into custody, with officials noting that they located a holster on his body, and was charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action.
He remains in custody without bond, according to online records viewed by E! News, and his bond hearing has been scheduled for May 6.
E! News reached out to reps for West and Dakota, as well as the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, but has not received a response.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images; Lindley Funeral Homes
Gayle—whose children included West’s dad Bruce Wilson and Dakota’s mom Kelly Sweeney—was remembered in an obituary that highlighted her life and the way she “found joy in shaping the world around her.”
“Gayle lived a life,” the obituary continued, “marked by creativity, kindness, and cherished moments.”
The fatal incident unfolded one night before West filmed the explosive Summer House season 10 reunion, in which he and Amanda Batula are expected to address the cast—including his ex and Amanda's BFF Ciara Miller—for the first time since confirming their relationship.
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