West Wilson, a star of Bravo's Summer House, is grappling with a devastating family tragedy. His cousin, Dakota Sweeney, has been arrested and charged with the murder of their grandmother, Gayle R. Wilson, in Carrollton, Missouri.
According to a probable cause statement obtained by E! News, the incident occurred on the evening of April 22. Police responded to a home around 10:30 p.m. following a report of a homicide and found Gayle, 75, deceased inside. Dakota was present at the scene, along with a witness—identified as Dakota's other grandparent, believed to be Gayle's husband, Roger Wilson.
The witness told authorities that Dakota and Gayle had been arguing earlier about chores. After sitting silently next to Gayle for about 30 minutes, Dakota allegedly shot her without warning. Officers discovered a holster on Dakota, and he was taken into custody.
Dakota faces charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. He is being held without bond, with a bond hearing scheduled for May 6.
Gayle Wilson was remembered in an obituary as a woman of creativity and kindness, who "found joy in shaping the world around her."
The tragedy occurred just one day before West filmed the Summer House season 10 reunion, where he and Amanda Batula were expected to address the cast about their relationship.
E! News has reached out to representatives for West, Dakota, and the Carroll County Sheriff's Office but has not received comment.