“That was her dream, not mine.” — Heartbreaking words straight from 11-year-old Addi Smith’s diary are now surfacing, exposing a side of the Las Vegas cheer tragedy no one saw coming. 😢 The young athlete who seemed to shine on the mat was allegedly forced into cheerleading by her “extremely controlling” mom, Tawnia McGeehan — who reportedly monitored every practice, every competition, and left her daughter feeling trapped in a life that wasn’t hers.

A close friend spills:

Fresh revelations emerging in the apparent murder-suicide of 11-year-old cheerleader Addilyn “Addi” Smith and her mother, Tawnia McGeehan, 38 (also reported as 34 in some records), are deepening the sorrow surrounding their deaths at the Rio Hotel & Casino. Social media posts circulating widely claim excerpts from Addi’s personal diary describe cheerleading as something imposed on her, with the poignant line: “That was her dream, not mine.”

The entries, shared via unverified Facebook posts and viral screenshots, allege the young girl felt pressured into the sport despite lacking genuine passion for it. A purported close friend of the family is quoted as saying, “Her mom is extremely controlling—she monitors every practice and is present at every single competition.” While police have not confirmed the authenticity of the diary excerpts or the friend’s statement, the claims have fueled online discussion about the intense dynamics within competitive youth cheer and the broader family pressures that may have contributed to the tragedy.

Authorities with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) maintain that McGeehan shot her daughter before turning the gun on herself in their hotel room sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, Feb. 15, 2026. The pair had traveled from West Jordan, Utah, for a cheer competition with Utah Xtreme Cheer but failed to appear for morning events, prompting teammates and coaches to request a welfare check.

Officers arrived around 10:45 a.m. but left after receiving no response at the door. Hotel security entered the room about four hours later following repeated concerns from family and team members, discovering the bodies. A note was found inside, though its contents remain undisclosed. The Clark County Coroner’s Office has identified the victims and listed preliminary findings consistent with the murder-suicide determination, with full autopsy results pending.

The new diary-related claims arrive amid ongoing scrutiny of the family’s history. Court documents from Utah County, spanning nearly a decade since McGeehan’s 2015 divorce from Addi’s father, Brad Smith, detail contentious custody battles. Early agreements granted primary custody to McGeehan with joint parenting time for Smith. However, later filings—including a 2020 temporary order—alleged behaviors on McGeehan’s part described as “on the spectrum of parental alienation,” along with claims of domestic issues witnessed by the child. At one point, Smith was awarded temporary sole custody, with the court noting his stronger grasp of the child’s needs.

Family members, including McGeehan’s mother Connie McGeehan, have spoken to reporters about the mother’s struggles with depression in recent years. Connie told outlets that her daughter had received “mean texts” from other parents tied to the cheer team in the lead-up to the Las Vegas trip. While the content of those messages has not been verified by police, they add to reports of mounting interpersonal stress within the high-pressure cheer environment.

Addi was remembered by Utah Xtreme Cheer as a beloved team member whose enthusiasm and talent stood out. The gym canceled classes for the week following her death and posted tributes describing her as “so beyond loved” and an integral part of their family. Fellow cheer programs, including Utah Fusion All-Stars and Utah Cinderella Pageant, shared condolences, noting Addi’s participation and bright personality. Vigils and social media memorials have highlighted her love for gymnastics, friends, and the joy she brought to those around her.

The competitive cheer world, often characterized by rigorous training schedules, parental involvement, and performance expectations, has seen increased calls for mental health support in the wake of this incident. Observers point to the diary claims—if accurate—as a potential indicator of a child caught between parental ambitions and personal desires. Youth sports experts note that “stage-parent” dynamics, where adults project their own goals onto children, can lead to burnout, resentment, or emotional strain, though no direct link has been established in this case.

LVMPD homicide detectives continue to process the scene, review digital evidence, interview witnesses from the hotel and cheer event, and analyze any relevant communications. Officials have stressed that the incident appears isolated, with no indication of third-party involvement or broader threat to the public. The department has urged patience as the investigation proceeds methodically.

The Rio Hotel & Casino has assisted authorities fully, though representatives have limited public comments to expressions of sympathy. The property’s handling of the welfare check has drawn questions online, particularly why entry was not forced earlier, but police have maintained that standard protocols were followed absent immediate visible signs of emergency.

For Brad Smith and his wife McKennly Smith, Addi’s stepmother, the loss compounds years of legal friction. McKennly posted a public plea for information shortly before the bodies were discovered, sharing a missing persons flyer featuring photos of Addi and McGeehan. The family has since requested privacy amid the grief.

As more personal details surface through social media and anonymous shares, authorities caution against speculation that could interfere with the probe. No official confirmation has tied the alleged diary entries directly to police evidence, and sources close to the investigation have not commented on whether such materials have been recovered or reviewed.

The tragedy has sparked broader conversations about the emotional toll of custody conflicts, parental mental health challenges, and the pressures of elite youth athletics. Community leaders in Utah’s cheer scene have emphasized support resources for families, while urging compassion for all involved.

Investigators continue to seek any additional information that could provide context to the events of Feb. 14-15. Tips can be submitted to LVMPD. In the meantime, a young girl’s life ended far too soon, and the search for understanding—amid diary whispers and long-simmering family strains—remains ongoing in a case that has left two communities mourning.