There’s more trouble surrounding “Summer House” star West Wilson. According to a new report, one of the reality star’s family members was recently arrested and charged with murder. The grim news comes amid the ongoing backlash West has received after announcing his relationship with his co-star, Amanda Batula.
West Wilson’s cousin, Dakota Sweeney, was arrested on April 22, according to TMZ. Missouri police officers responded to a call of a shooting at a home, and upon their arrival, located Gayle R. Wilson dead. She was 75.
Legal documents state that a witness told police officers that Sweeney was in the same house as Gayle for 30 minutes before allegedly shooting her with a gun. Law enforcement officers said the pair were engaged in an argument before the shooting over household chores.
According to the documents, authorities found a gun on Sweeney’s person when they took him into custody. He was later charged with first-degree murder.
West Wilson Facing Backlash After Confessing To Dating Ex’s Best Friend
The news of Gayle’s passing comes amid a chaotic time for West, according to The Blast.
The reality star has faced significant backlash over the last few weeks after admitting to being in a relationship with Batula.
While dating a cast member isn’t frowned upon within the Bravosphere, Batula and Wilson both had deeply personal relationships with co-star Ciara Miller.
Batula and West’s joint statement garnered even more criticism, especially because of Miller’s previous admissions about interracial dating on earlier episodes of “Summer House.”
“I don’t think you guys also realize the interracial aspect that exists and all the sh-t that goes on,” Miller said. “I get a lot of blowback that’s very racial, obviously, being in this position. I was the first Black person in this house, and then dating publicly, dating white guys publicly, is a whole contraption that I don’t think you guys can understand or can even empathize with.”
Miller’s candid confession caught the attention of many, one of whom blasted Batula and West for allegedly being “anti-Black” online.
“Anti-blackness is not the same as calling someone racist or saying that they hate Black people,” the creator said, per The Blast. “Anti-blackness is often not intentional; it’s not always conscious. Oftentimes, it shows up in who gets chosen, or who’s deemed long-term material.”
Other users shared similar stances, such as one X user, who said, “Regardless, Ciara shared how the relationship deeply and negatively impacted her and how having it play out publicly affected her as a Black woman.”
‘Summer House’ Reunion Audio Leaked Online
Because the current season of “Summer House” has already wrapped, the first time Batula and Miller see each other face-to-face since the news will be at the upcoming reunion.
According to The Blast, a now-fired producer leaked audio from the reunion, in which Miller slammed Batula and branded her a “snake.”
Another leaked clip featured audio of Batula’s soon-to-be ex-husband, Kyle Cooke, calling West a “schmuck.”
Although the leaked footage seemed to excite some Bravo fans, the network was furious, calling it a “serious breach of trust and a clear lack of respect.”
Andy Cohen called the move “disrespectful” after revealing that the cast spent 10 hours on stage laying out “their souls” for the audience.
Miller Gets Real About Experiencing Betrayal
In a Glamour Magazine interview, Miller was candid about the betrayal she experienced at the hands of her former friends.
“It’s one thing to experience hurt behind closed doors,” she said. “To experience it so publicly is like another layer, and then to have to see what you thought was your life still play out in season 10. It’s a major mindf-ck.”
But who does the reality star feel most betrayed by?
“At the end of the day, a guy’s a guy. Whether or not West and I are working on a relationship, you just can’t put anything past a man,” she said.
Consequently, Miller “never” thought she’d be played by her best friend, adding that Batula “has been what has felt like in my circle and in my corner for so long.”
Miller added, “I think that’s the craziest part.”
