Dakota Sweeney, the Cousin of West Wilson , Was Arrested for Shooting Their Grandmother in Missouri
The past month of West Wilson’s life is starting to read like a writer’s room pitch nobody would buy. And now the news that his grandmother was shot to death in her Missouri home, and his cousin has been charged with the murder.
Page Six’s Eric Todisco followed TMZ’s report with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s official statement.
According to that statement, Carroll County law enforcement responded to a shooting at a residence on the 100 block of West 14th Street in Carrollton, Missouri at approximately 10:25 p.m. on April 22, 2026. They found Gayle R. Wilson, 75, deceased inside the home.
According to court documents and the probable cause affidavit, Sweeney and Gayle had argued earlier that night over him not helping with household chores. After sitting on a couch in the same room with her for roughly 30 minutes, he allegedly shot her without warning while she was seated. She was shot in the head with a handgun. Her husband Roger Wilson witnessed the shooting and identified Sweeney to arriving officers. A handgun and holster were recovered on Sweeney at the scene.
Sweeney, 28, was taken into custody without incident just before 10:30 p.m. He was formally charged the next day with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. He pleaded not guilty on April 24. He is being held at Caldwell County Jail on a no-bond warrant. His next court appearance is a bond hearing on May 6. The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control is investigating the homicide.
Gayle R. Wilson was born on August 3, 1950. She was married to Roger for 50 years. She was a stained-glass artist and quilter who had traveled to all 50 states. Her obituary described her as having “lived a life marked by creativity, kindness, and cherished moments.” She is survived by Roger, 4 children, and 7 grandchildren, including West Wilson and Dakota Sweeney. Some outlets, including TMZ, refer to her as the boys’ step-grandmother because West’s father and Dakota’s mother are her stepchildren. The obituary and most coverage refer to her simply as their grandmother. A memorial service is scheduled for May 2 at 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Carrollton.
West Wilson, the Summer House cast member and sports journalist, is Gayle Wilson’s grandson and Dakota Sweeney’s cousin. The shooting occurred the night before he filmed the Season 10 Summer House reunion in New York City on April 23. He has not publicly addressed his grandmother’s death and has not responded to media requests for comment. He was mostly silent during the leaked reunion audio and was seen leaving the reunion venue with castmate Amanda Batula. He and Batula confirmed their relationship in a joint statement on March 31.