Cousin of 'Summer House' star West Wilson allegedly killed grandmother
Cousin of 'Summer House' star West Wilson allegedly killed grandmother
Melina Khan, USA TODAYThu, April 30, 2026 at 3:18 PM UTC
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The cousin of "Summer House" star West Wilson was charged with killing their grandmother, Gayle Wilson, last week.
Dakota Sweeney, 28, was arrested in Carrollton, Missouri, on April 22 and was charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of armed criminal action, the Missouri State Highway Patrol announced in a news release.
According to an obituary for Gayle Wilson, Sweeney is the cousin of West Wilson, one of the stars of Bravo's "Summer House." The reality show follows a group of friends living together for the summer in the Hamptons and is currently airing its tenth season.
USA TODAY has reached out to Sweeney's attorney for comment.
West Wilson attends Bravo's "Summer House" Season 10 at 92NY on Jan. 28, 2026 in New York City.Shooting allegedly stemmed from disagreement about chores, per police
On April 22, Sweeney allegedly shot and killed Gayle Wilson with a handgun while she was seated on a couch at her home, according to a probable cause statement obtained by USA TODAY.
Sweeney's grandfather, Roger Wilson, who was also home at the time, told police that the suspect had been seated on a separate couch next to his grandmother for roughly 30 minutes before shooting her "without warning."
Prior to the shooting, Sweeney and his grandmother had a disagreement about him not helping with chores around the home, Roger Wilson told police.
Sweeney apparently lived at the home. According to court records, his address is listed as the site of the shooting.
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Gayle Wilson was 75 years old, per her obituary. She was "an artist at heart" and was known for "bringing smiles with her heartfelt meals and baked treats." She leaves behind her husband of 50 years as well as four children and seven grandchildren.
West Wilson's grandmother's death comes amid 'Summer House' Season 10
West Wilson has appeared on "Summer House" for the last three seasons, having joined the show for its eighth season, which filmed in 2023 and aired in 2024.
A sports journalist and former college football player, the 31-year-old has been caught at the center of relationship drama with his fellow castmates.
A composite of "Summer House" cast members Amanda Batula, West Wilson, Ciara Miller and Kyle Cooke
Amid the airing of the show's tenth season, on March 31, West Wilson and castmate Amanda Batula addressed online speculation about a rumored romance between them. In a joint Instagram statement, the pair confirmed they have developed a "connection" that "grew out of a genuine, long-standing friendship."
The statement sent shockwaves throughout the "Summer House" fanbase due to the pair's ties to other castmates. West previously dated another star on the show, Ciara Miller, who was previously a close friend of Batula's.
Meanwhile, Batula's marriage to another cast member, Kyle Cooke, has played out throughout the show's run. They announced their split in January.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bravo star West Wilson's cousin accused of killing their grandmother
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
