A Mother's Unthinkable Tragedy: The Murder of Robert Whitwell
She heard that Her Grandfather Kept Life Savings Inside Home. So She Stabbed Him to Death.
When Brittney Jade Dwyer was arrested and convicted for the brutal murder of her grandfather, Robert Whitwell, Australia was left reeling. The shocking crime, driven by a cold-blooded plot to steal his life savings, made headlines nationwide. Yet, the most heart-wrenching part of the story may be the grief of Tanya Dwyer, the mother who never saw it coming.
In her first in-depth interview, aired in 2017 and republished recently by 7News, Tanya reflected on the devastation of learning that her daughter was responsible for such a heinous act. With raw emotion, she questioned herself: “What signs did I miss? What didn’t I see?” These heart-wrenching words were echoed by Brittney’s brother, Ryan Whitwell-Dwyer, and her co-conspirator, Bernadette Burns, who also played a role in the crime.
Authorities revealed that Bernadette, then 21, was aware of Brittney’s plan to murder her 81-year-old grandfather, a plot motivated by greed. Whitwell had recently confided in Tanya that he kept around $100,000 in cash, hidden in his shed, as he did not trust banks. Tragically, Brittney was present when her grandfather shared this information. What followed would forever shatter the family’s sense of trust and security.
According to reports, Bernadette waited in the car, calmly applying makeup, while Brittney carried out the unthinkable. She entered the home, slashed her grandfather’s throat, then placed a bandage over the wound before carrying on with her daily routine. As Robert Whitwell lay dying in the kitchen, Brittney did the dishes, all while concealing the grisly truth.
For weeks after the murder, Brittney’s behaviour seemed to fool those around her. Her brother later described her as appearing “distraught.” Tanya, too, recounted how Brittney “hysterically burst into tears” when she was first told of her grandfather’s death. In those early days, Tanya found herself in a haze of disbelief. “I didn’t put two and two together,” she admitted, still grappling with the shock.
It took three weeks before the truth came to light. Police informed Tanya that her daughter had been arrested for the brutal crime. “This can’t possibly be true,” Brittney’s brother said of his first reaction to the news. During the trial, Brittney’s defense attorney claimed that her actions were partly inspired by the TV series American Horror Story. Adding a disturbing layer to the case, Brittney also accused her grandfather of sexually abusing her as a child. However, this claim was vehemently denied by the Dwyer-Whitwell family, leading to further tension and heartbreak.
Tanya’s fury was palpable when discussing the accusation. “I was furious,” she said. “And that’s the reason why I would still slap her in the face— the anger that’s inside.”
Robert Whitwell. 7 News Spotlight/YouTube
In the end, Brittney was sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 21 years. Bernadette, who had assisted in the crime, was also sentenced to life, though she could apply for parole after 13 years.
In an emotional conclusion to the interview, Tanya reflected on the personal toll the murder had taken on her life. “I’ve lost two people,” she said, choking back tears. “I’ve lost my dad and I’ve lost my daughter, and I don’t know if I’ll ever understand the whole story.” The pain of losing both her father and daughter has left an indelible mark on Tanya, and the unanswered questions will forever linger in the shadows of this unimaginable tragedy.
