West Wilson‘s cousin, Dakota Sweeney, was arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of their grandmother, Gayle R. Wilson.
Our condolences to West, his family, and friends after this horrible tragedy.
Content Warning:
According to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE, the Summer House star’s cousin “knowingly caused the death” of Gayle by shooting her. He was also charged with armed criminal action.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s probable cause statement stated the Carroll County law enforcement officials were “notified of a homicide” on Wednesday, April 22.
After responding to the residence, they found “Victim #1” dead inside. Also inside the home were Dakota and “Witness #1.” Victim No. 1 and Witness No. 1 are identified in the statement as “the grandparents of Sweeney.” Yes, their grandpa watched his wife’s murder.
According to the probable cause statement, Dakota’s grandfather witnessed Dakota sit on a “couch next to Victim #1 for approximately 30 minutes and without warning shot Victim #1 in the head.”
Dakota’s grandfather also alleged that “earlier in the evening, Dakota and Victim #1 had been in a disagreement about Sweeney not assisting with chores around the residence.”
Dakota was taken into custody, and officers located a “holster” on him. The warrant for Dakota’s arrest shows that authorities requested that he be held with “no bond.” As per a separate order, West’s cousin must also submit for fingerprinting. His bond appearance hearing is currently scheduled for Wednesday, May 6.
For the sake of the Summer House reunion timeline, Gayle was murdered one day before West sat down for a taping of the season 10 reunion special. Andy Cohen declared it was the “most intense” reunion he’s ever hosted. There has been no word indicating whether West’s grandma’s death was mentioned.
