Summer House Star’s Cousin Charged in Grandmother’s Murder
- Dakota Sweeney, the cousin of “Summer House” star West Wilson, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his grandmother, Gayle R.
- Sweeney, 28, was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action, the Missouri State Highway Patrol stated.
- According to the affidavit, a witness – identified as “Witness #1” – reported that Sweeney and Gayle Wilson had been arguing about Sweeney’s lack of assistance with chores.
Dakota Sweeney, the cousin of “Summer House” star West Wilson, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his grandmother, Gayle R. Wilson, 75, according to reports from NBC News and People magazine. The incident occurred at Wilson’s residence in Carrollton, Missouri, on April 22.
Sweeney, 28, was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action, the Missouri State Highway Patrol stated. A probable cause statement detailed that Sweeney allegedly shot his grandmother in the head after an argument regarding household chores, NBC News reported.
According to the affidavit, a witness – identified as “Witness #1” – reported that Sweeney and Gayle Wilson had been arguing about Sweeney’s lack of assistance with chores. The witness stated that Sweeney and Wilson sat on separate couches for approximately 30 minutes before Sweeney, “without warning,” shot Wilson in the head.
The shooting took place the day before West Wilson was scheduled to film the Season 10 reunion of “Summer House” in New York City. Page Six initially reported the news of the arrest on April 29, 2026.
Family Connection and Background
Gayle Wilson was the grandmother of both West Wilson and Dakota Sweeney. Her obituary, as referenced in reports, confirms her death on April 22 at her home in Carrollton, Missouri. She is survived by her husband, Roger, four children, and seven grandchildren, including West and Sweeney.
According to NBC News, West Wilson’s father and Sweeney’s mother are stepchildren of Gayle Wilson. Gayle Wilson previously worked as a blackjack dealer and enjoyed hobbies such as sewing and making stained glass, Lindley Funeral Homes noted in her obituary.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
Sweeney is currently being held at the Caldwell County Jail on a no-bond warrant. The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control is investigating the homicide. He appeared in court and pleaded not guilty, KTTN reported.
Authorities located a holster on Sweeney at the time of his arrest. A warrant for his arrest requested he be held without bond and required him to submit fingerprints for both felony charges. His bond appearance hearing is scheduled for May 6.
Bravo’s Response
Bravo, the network that airs “Summer House,” has not yet issued a public statement regarding the incident. NBC News reported that Bravo, which is owned by NBCUniversal, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
It remains unclear whether Sweeney has retained legal counsel. The upcoming “Summer House” reunion is expected to feature the “Scamanda” scandal involving West Wilson, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.