#BREAKING — A heartbreaking custody war that dragged on for NINE YEARS may hold the key to one of the most tragic stories unfolding right now in Las Vegas.

Tawnia McGeehan, 38, and her 11-year-old daughter Addi Smith traveled from Utah to Sin City for what should have been an exciting cheer competition with Utah Xtreme Cheer.

They never made it to the event.

Late Saturday night — police believe — in a room at the Rio Hotel & Casino, Tawnia shot her daughter Addi before turning the gun on herself in a devastating murder-suicide.

Their bodies weren’t discovered until Sunday afternoon after desperate teammates reported them missing when Addi failed to show up for competition. Hotel security forced entry around 2:30 p.m. Inside: tragedy, and an apparent suicide note whose contents remain undisclosed.

Now, fresh court documents reveal the storm brewing for years behind closed doors.

Tawnia and ex-husband Brad Smith battled over custody since Addi was a toddler — starting around their 2015 divorce. Accusations flew: multiple claims of custodial interference against Tawnia (later dismissed). In 2020, a court temporarily stripped her of custody, ruling her actions could alienate Addi from her father.

Tawnia fought back hard — even filing a 2021 restraining order against Addi’s stepmother for allegedly recording exchanges, claiming it violated agreements.

By 2024, they settled on joint legal and physical custody: one week on, one week off.

Addi was a bright, talented cheerleader — described by her team as leaving “a bright spot in this world.” Tributes are pouring in from Utah’s cheer community, grieving the loss of a young girl full of life.

But questions are mounting: Did the years of legal fights, court battles, and shared custody strain push someone to the breaking point? What drove a mother to this unimaginable act during what was meant to be a fun weekend away?

A psychologist speaking to local media noted subtle warning signs of crisis — but details remain limited as investigators piece together motives.

This isn’t just a Las Vegas tragedy. It’s a stark reminder of how prolonged custody disputes can tear families apart — sometimes with devastating finality.

The cheer world is in mourning. A father has lost his daughter forever. And the note left behind? Still sealed.

If you’ve been following this or know more, share your thoughts — but please, respect the family’s pain. Resources for crisis support are in the comments.

Click below for the full timeline: the custody docs, competition details, police statements, community tributes, and why this case is shaking Utah and beyond…

A shocking apparent murder-suicide at a Las Vegas hotel has left the competitive cheerleading community reeling and raised questions about the impact of prolonged family court disputes. On February 15, 2026, 38-year-old Tawnia McGeehan and her 11-year-old daughter, Addi Smith, were found dead in a room at the Rio Hotel & Casino. Authorities believe McGeehan fatally shot her daughter late Saturday night before taking her own life. The pair had traveled from Utah for a cheer competition but never arrived, prompting a welfare check that led to the grim discovery.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Lieutenant Robert Price confirmed the deaths during a Sunday press conference, describing the incident as a “heartbreaking event.” Officers responded around 10:45 a.m. to a request for a welfare check after Addi’s cheer team, Utah Xtreme Cheer (UXC), reported the duo missing when they failed to appear for morning events. Hotel security performed a forced entry shortly after 2:30 p.m., finding both victims deceased alongside what police described as an apparent suicide note. The note’s contents have not been released publicly.

McGeehan and Addi were last seen Saturday evening at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, according to investigators. Police believe the shooting occurred in their Rio room sometime late that night. No other individuals are believed to be involved, and the case is being treated as a murder-suicide. The LVMPD expressed condolences to the family and emphasized that investigations continue to determine contributing factors.

Addi Smith was an active member of Utah Xtreme Cheer, a program based in the Salt Lake City area. The team posted on social media Sunday morning seeking help locating the pair after they missed competition check-ins. Following the discovery, UXC confirmed Addi’s death in an emotional statement, noting her positive impact. Other Utah programs, including Utah Fusion All-Stars and Utah Cinderella Pageant, shared tributes, describing Addi as a bright, enthusiastic participant who “left a bright spot in this world.”

Court documents obtained by multiple outlets, including FOX5 Vegas and TMZ, reveal a contentious custody history between McGeehan and Addi’s father, Brad Smith. The dispute began around their 2015 divorce, when temporary orders granted McGeehan primary physical residence for Addi while providing Smith with parent time and joint legal custody.

Over the years, allegations surfaced multiple times that McGeehan engaged in custodial interference—actions purportedly aimed at limiting Smith’s access. These claims were later dismissed. In 2020, a court temporarily removed custody from McGeehan, determining her behavior could alienate Addi from her father. McGeehan responded in 2021 by seeking a temporary restraining order against Smith’s new wife (Addi’s stepmother), alleging improper recording of custody exchanges in violation of court agreements.

The legal battles culminated in 2024 with a settlement: joint legal and physical custody, structured as alternating one-week periods. This arrangement was in place at the time of the tragedy.

Local media reports, including from KSNV, featured insights from clinical psychologist Dr. Tanya Crabb of Soul Works Counseling. While stressing limited public details, Crabb noted that subtle warning signs of mental health crises can sometimes precede such events, though hindsight often reveals them clearly only after tragedy strikes.

The cheer community in both Utah and Las Vegas has been deeply affected. Competitors, coaches, and families expressed shock and grief, with social media flooded by memorials. West Jordan, Utah—where the family resided—saw neighbors and friends mourning publicly, describing the loss as incomprehensible.

Authorities have not released a motive, and the suicide note remains private pending further investigation. No criminal charges are pending, as both individuals are deceased.

This incident underscores broader issues surrounding high-conflict custody cases, where emotional strain can persist for years. Family law experts note that prolonged disputes sometimes contribute to mental health challenges, though each situation is unique.

As tributes continue and the cheer world processes the loss of a young athlete, the focus remains on supporting Addi’s surviving family—particularly her father—and preventing future tragedies through awareness and resources.

For those in crisis, immediate help is available via the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or local emergency services.