Published on: February 17, 2026, 11:21h.
Updated on: February 18, 2026, 04:54h.
- A prolonged custody battle led to a heartbreaking murder-suicide incident at the Rio in Las Vegas, as revealed by court documents.
- Security personnel at the hotel found the bodies of 38-year-old Tawnia McGeehan and her 11-year-old daughter, Addi Smith, after they missed a national cheer competition.
- Authorities speculate that McGeehan took her daughter’s life before ending her own.
A 38-year-old mother from Utah, identified as Tawnia McGeehan, is believed to have tragically shot her 11-year-old daughter within their Las Vegas hotel accommodation before taking her own life. This shocking incident arises from a lengthy custody dispute spanning over a decade, as per family court documents accessed by TMZ and KLAS-TV/Las Vegas.
Records indicate that initial custody arrangements made in 2015 favored Tawnia McGeehan with primary physical custody, while her ex-spouse, Bradley Smith, retained joint legal rights. This arrangement was frequently contested, leading to multiple allegations of “custodial interference” against McGeehan, although these particular claims were ultimately dismissed.
By 2020, the nature of the custody dispute escalated. A court ruling that year suggested McGeehan displayed signs of “parental alienation” and accused her of engaging in domestic abuse in front of the child. As a result, the court temporarily shifted custody to Smith, citing his superior understanding of the child’s needs.
The battle continued into 2021, with McGeehan filing for a restraining order, alleging she was being recorded during custody handovers. Eventually, a semblance of peace was achieved in 2024, with the latest court order establishing a “week-on, week-off” joint custody arrangement.
Devastating Outcome
The mother and daughter traveled to Las Vegas from Utah for the JAMZ Nationals cheer competition. Concern grew on Sunday morning, February 15, 2026, when Addi did not show up for her scheduled performance with Utah Xtreme Cheer.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police conducted a welfare check at the Rio Hotel & Casino around 10:45 a.m. When initial attempts to elicit a response were unsuccessful, officers left the scene, unable to justify forced entry. However, officers returned at 2:30 p.m. following persistent concerns raised by family and friends. Upon entering the room, they discovered both McGeehan and Smith deceased.
Investigators believe that McGeehan shot her daughter late Saturday night before taking her own life. A note was found at the scene, but its content remains undisclosed.
On Monday, February 16, the cheer community honored Addi with a moment of silence at the Orleans Arena, a poignant tribute shared on JAMZ Cheer and Dance’s social media platforms.
A GoFundMe campaign supporting the family has seen substantial engagement, highlighted by a shared photo of Addi, from which her mother has been digitally removed — a powerful visual reflection of a community grappling with the tragic duality of victim and perpetrator.