Mysterious Discovery: Court Document in Wallet Links Custody War to Las Vegas Murder-Suicide

In a chilling development amid the ongoing investigation into the tragic deaths of 11-year-old Addilyn “Addi” Smith and her mother, Tawnia McGeehan, at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, authorities have uncovered a printed and folded court document tucked inside a wallet found near the hotel’s reception desk. This seemingly innocuous item, discovered shortly after the bodies were located on February 15, 2026, hints at the protracted and acrimonious custody battle between McGeehan and Addi’s father, Brad Smith—a conflict that spanned nearly a decade and may have contributed to the despair culminating in this heartbreaking murder-suicide.

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The wallet, believed to belong to McGeehan, contained personal effects that painted a picture of a woman entangled in legal strife, far from the glamorous cheer competition that brought her and her daughter to Sin City.

The discovery adds a layer of intrigue to an already devastating case. Police sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the document as a creased printout of a recent court order from Utah’s 4th District Court, detailing modifications to custody arrangements. Folded multiple times, as if consulted repeatedly, it was nestled among credit cards, a driver’s license, and a few crumpled receipts—everyday items that now carry forensic significance.

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While the exact contents remain under wraps pending the full investigation, experts speculate it could be related to the 2024 custody modification that enforced strict exchange protocols, a testament to the ongoing tension between the parents.

The tragedy unfolded in Room 1423 of the Rio Hotel, where McGeehan, 34, and Addi were found dead from gunshot wounds. McGeehan had shot her daughter before taking her own life, according to the Clark County Coroner’s preliminary findings. The pair had arrived in Las Vegas for the Jamz Nationals cheer competition, an event Addi was eagerly anticipating as a member of Utah Xtreme Cheer’s youth team. Instead of cheers and trophies, the trip ended in silence, with Addi’s new white cheer shoes left unopened beside the bed—a poignant symbol of dreams deferred.

Hotel staff first noticed the wallet near the reception desk around 9 a.m. on February 15, shortly before the welfare check that led to the grim discovery. “It was just sitting there, like someone had dropped it in a hurry,” a hotel employee told local media, requesting anonymity. Security footage, currently under review by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), shows McGeehan lingering in the lobby the night before, appearing distraught. Investigators believe she may have inadvertently left the wallet behind during a moment of crisis, providing an unintended breadcrumb to her mental state.

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This find has thrust the custody battle into the spotlight, revealing a history of legal skirmishes that began in 2015, mere months after Addi’s birth. Court records, obtained by various news outlets, outline a saga of accusations, motions, and judicial interventions. McGeehan filed for divorce from Brad Smith in January 2015, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized in 2017, with initial joint custody granted, but McGeehan receiving primary physical custody. What followed was a cascade of disputes over child support, parenting time, and allegations of alienation.

By 2020, the conflict escalated dramatically. Brad Smith filed an order to show cause, accusing McGeehan of denying him visitation and failing to adhere to financial obligations. Court documents detail instances of “custodial interference,” though these charges were later dismissed. In a pivotal December 2020 ruling, Judge David Mortensen awarded Brad temporary sole physical custody, citing McGeehan’s actions as potentially harmful to Addi’s well-being. The judge noted concerns of parental alienation, where McGeehan was accused of undermining Addi’s relationship with her father, including exposing the child to domestic disputes.

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McGeehan fought back, seeking restraining orders and modifications. The battle persisted through 2021 and beyond, with psychological evaluations ordered and supervised visitations imposed. It culminated in May 2024, when joint custody was reinstated on a week-on, week-off basis. However, the decree included stringent rules: exchanges at school or police stations, no denigration of the other parent, and prohibitions on discussing legal matters with Addi. These documents, now echoed in the folded paper from the wallet, illustrate a family fractured by litigation.

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Family law experts weigh in on the psychological toll of such high-conflict cases. “Custody battles like this can create a toxic environment for everyone involved, especially the child,” says Marco Brown, a Utah-based attorney who reviewed similar cases. “The constant back-and-forth erodes trust and can lead to severe emotional distress.” In Addi’s case, her grandmother, Connie McGeehan, mentioned the girl’s struggles with depression, possibly exacerbated by the parental discord. The cheer competition, meant as an escape, instead became the stage for tragedy, with reports of a “tiff” among team parents adding to the stress.

Brad Smith, Addi’s father, has remained largely silent, but in a statement through his brother, Greg Smith—a police sergeant—he expressed profound grief. “This document, if it’s what we think, shows how deep the pain ran,” Greg posted on social media. A GoFundMe for funeral expenses has raised over $50,000, with donors sharing stories of Addi’s infectious energy.

The wallet’s discovery raises questions about McGeehan’s state of mind. Why carry a printed court order on a trip? Was it a reminder of impending changes, or a symbol of unresolved anger? Psychologists speculate that in high-stakes custody cases, documents become talismans of control or loss. “People in distress often cling to physical representations of their struggles,” notes Dr. Elena Ramirez, a forensic psychologist. The folded state suggests frequent handling, perhaps during moments of reflection or rage.

Community response has been swift and somber. In West Jordan, Utah, blue ribbons flutter from trees, and cheer gyms have held vigils. Utah Fusion All-Stars paused practices, dedicating routines to Addi. “She was our light,” a coach shared. Nationally, the case spotlights the need for family court reforms, such as mandatory mental health assessments and expedited mediations.

As the LVMPD continues its probe—no foul play beyond the murder-suicide is suspected—the wallet and its contents serve as a grim connector between legal battles and lethal despair. For Brad Smith, the promise of seeing Addi “next week” is forever unkept, overshadowed by papers that chronicled a family’s unraveling.

This incident underscores broader issues in America’s family courts, where over 50% of cases involve high conflict, according to the American Bar Association. Reforms could include better integration of mental health services and training for judges on alienation signs. In Utah, where divorce rates align with national averages, advocates push for these changes to prevent future tragedies.

Addi’s story, marked by untouched shoes and folded documents, reminds us of the human cost behind legal filings. As investigations wrap up, the focus shifts to healing and prevention, ensuring no other child pays the price of parental war.