True Crime with Rachel Shannon
He Murdered 2 Women & GOT AWAY WITH IT?! The Suspicious Case of Grace Holland and Sarah Sweeney
29 Nov 2025
Chapter 1: What are the suspicious circumstances surrounding Grace Holland and Sarah Sweeney's deaths?
We've all heard in most cases that when someone dies suddenly or is murdered, the significant other is the first person to be investigated.
Whether it seems possible that the person died from an accident or a self-inflicted injury, those closest to them are always investigated to make sure they didn't have any involvement, especially when there is a lot of suspicion around the people in that person's life before their death. Today, we are going to be discussing the tragic and suspicious deaths of Grace Holland and Sarah Sweeney.
I also want to give a disclaimer that any allegations I make in this video or theories that I present are just that. I got much of this information from family members of Grace on their Facebook page, and any allegations I make are based on that information and are my own personal beliefs. 35-year-old Grace Holland was born on September 23rd, 1984 to parents Patricia and Graham Holland.
She grew up in Creve Coeur, Missouri, and had two sisters, one of which was her twin, Laura. Grace was described as a force full of energy and spirit. She grew up going to Catholic school, where she was a part of the police explorer program in high school. She then went on to university, earning a degree in criminal justice.
Chapter 2: How did Grace Holland's relationship with Robert Dawes develop?
After that, Grace went on to get married and in that marriage, she had four daughters who she loved with every fiber of her being. Those girls were her entire world and she put her all into raising them. However, Grace's first marriage did not end up working, so for the time being, she was working to raise those four little girls all on her own.
That was until around 2015 or 2016 when she met Robert Dawes, who also had a son of his own from a previous relationship. Robert had an extensive career serving as a firefighter for several years before moving up to being the Maryland Heights fire captain. Robert was known to be very well liked in the community.
First responders such as himself work hand in hand with law enforcement and are very respected and honored, especially in smaller communities like the one he was from. But Robert was not the only hero in his family. In fact, he came from a family of many first responders. His father, Robert Dawes Sr., was the fire captain before his son took over the role.
Chapter 3: What evidence suggests Grace was in an abusive relationship?
His brother David had also once been a St. Louis police officer. However, with David, this role didn't last long. He was accused of second-degree sexual sodomy, so before any serious charges were filed against him, he resigned from the police force. But that didn't mean that Robert or his family were any less respected in the area.
The Dawes family also owned a local company called Liberty Artworks, which makes memorials for the police and fire departments. As you can see, Robert's connections with the town's law enforcement runs deep and his family is embedded in that community. This is one of the things that really drew Grace to Robert when she first met him.
She had a profound appreciation for law enforcement, being an active member of her community as well. After meeting, the two started a relationship and things progressed from there.
Chapter 4: What happened on the night of Grace's tragic death?
On Facebook, Grace loved posting photos of herself, her girls, and Robert, and all of the fun things they did as a family. Eventually, the pair were engaged and by 2020, the two purchased a home on Conway Drive in Creve Coeur.
For months, Grace went back and forth between the home she already lived in on Fairways Drive and their new home, doing different renovations and preparing the home for move-in. However, although those on the outside saw a happy, loving couple, according to Grace's twin sister, Laura, behind closed doors, their relationship wasn't all that it was cracked up to be.
Laura said that Robert was controlling and possessive. He wouldn't let her work a job on her own. Instead, he got her to quit her job and started working for his family's business. But she also was not paid directly for her work. Instead, Robert set it up so that he would get Grace's checks and then pay Grace under the table. That way, he could control when she got her money and how much she got.
Chapter 5: How did Robert Dawes react after Grace's death?
Outside of work, he also controlled all other aspects of her life. He controlled how much gas money she was given. He decided how she would use her spare time, including when she got to see her own children. Through this, Grace lost so many friends, even her best friend, because Robert wouldn't allow her to see anybody without him.
It's a classic situation of the abuser keeping their victim away from outsiders to make sure that they are only hearing their words, their suggestions, and making sure that no one on the outside can make Grace aware of the red flags or help her leave the relationship.
Then, when it came to the home that Grace loved so much and spent so much time and energy renovating, her name wasn't even put on the deed because she didn't have any of her own money. In addition to controlling her time and money, Robert was also psychologically and physically abusive.
He would verbally berate her and Grace told friends that he would blow up and become angry at the smallest things. By June 9th, 2020, Grace secretly recorded a video where you can hear how Robert talks to her.
Chapter 6: What inconsistencies were found in the investigation of Grace's death?
He is ranting about not wanting to be forced into a marriage with Grace, saying that he will do anything to spend as little time as possible with her. She tells him that she loves him and he responds by telling her to F off multiple times and saying to get the F out of his house.
Now, do I have to plan on you being here again tonight?
No.
Oh, but you said that last night. So now I'll make other arrangements.
What do you mean?
Well, I won't be here then.
Why not?
Because I don't want to be around you.
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Chapter 7: What led to the mysterious death of Sarah Sweeney?
Why not?
I don't want to be around you, period. But if this is going to be some sort of forced fucking marriage, that doesn't mean I can be. Strive to spend as little time with you as possible and take every little advantage to stay the fucking arm's length from you.
Every little night I have to squeak an extra hour at Liberty, traffic, flat tire, whatever the fuck I can do to just extend my life away from you is going to be my priority.
I love you. I hope you have a good day, okay?
I don't want to be on any trips. I don't want to travel with you.
I don't want to see the world with you.
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Chapter 8: Are there parallels between Grace and Sarah's cases that raise suspicion?
I don't want to do anything with you. I love you. I hope you have a good day, okay?
Fuck yourself.
Okay? Fuck you. I hope you get in a better mood.
No, this is the mood I'm going to be in.
No, you're just trying to be mean to me, and I'm not going to take it. I love you. Have a good day.
Fuck you. Fuck your cunt mother. Get the fuck out of my house.
Love you. Have a good day.
Then we will be selling Conway. Just so you know. So I would work on something, whether it's keeping the kids in Irondale or whatever it is you need to do.
Then around that same time, family members started noticing that Grace would show up with bruises all over her body. That same month, Grace confided in her sister that Robert had pushed her and then shoved her down and dragged her down the hall. This caused visible bruises, which family members saw.
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