PRIVATE JOURNAL ENTRY: A page from a notebook allegedly belonging to Tawnia McGeehan contains the line: “They’re documenting me.” Remarkably, that line was written in a different colored pen than the rest of the page

🚨 PRIVATE JOURNAL ENTRY: “They’re Documenting Me” — Chilling Line in Tawnia McGeehan’s Notebook Written in Different Colored Pen

In a haunting new discovery that has sent shockwaves through the investigation into the murder-suicide of 11-year-old Addi Smith and her mother Tawnia McGeehan, a page from a notebook allegedly belonging to McGeehan contains the stark line: “They’re documenting me.” Remarkably, that single sentence was written in a different colored pen than the rest of the page — a detail investigators describe as “highly significant” and potentially indicative of a last-minute addition made under acute distress. The journal entry, recovered from McGeehan’s belongings at the Rio Hotel & Casino scene and now part of the official investigative file, adds a deeply unsettling layer of paranoia to a case already defined by obsession with loss, uncompleted therapy sessions, and frantic final communications.

The notebook page, dated in the weeks leading up to the February 15, 2026, tragedy, was found among personal items in the hotel room where McGeehan fatally shot her daughter before taking her own life. Forensic analysis confirms the ink color of the phrase “They’re documenting me” matches none of the other entries on the page or in the notebook, suggesting it was added separately — possibly in the final hours or days — using a different pen. Sources close to the probe say the line appears to reference a growing fear that Brad Smith, his new wife McKennly, the courts, or even cheer community members were “documenting” her every move, building a case to take Addi away permanently.

This revelation comes amid a cascade of other final communications: the 1,982-word email sent to Brad at 1:47 a.m. titled “Schedule Change” with a blacked-out parenting schedule attachment; three rejected FaceTime calls from Brad’s phone followed by one from McKennly’s number; the overheard argument in which McGeehan reportedly shouted “You won’t take her from me”; and her last admission to a friend: “I’m not unstable. I’m exhausted.” Combined with therapy records showing she scheduled more appointments in her final month but completed none, the journal entry paints a portrait of a mother spiraling under the weight of perceived surveillance and inevitable loss.

The Journal Entry: Paranoia in Ink

Investigators recovered the notebook during the initial processing of the Rio crime scene. The page in question contains what appear to be routine reflections on daily life, cheer competition prep, and custody-related anxieties — all written in standard black or blue ink. Midway down, in a noticeably different shade (described by sources as bright red or purple), the isolated line stands out: “They’re documenting me.”

Forensic handwriting experts are examining the entry for signs of stress or haste. The color change is particularly striking because McGeehan’s other journal pages show consistent pen usage. One theory under review is that the phrase was added impulsively — perhaps after a specific trigger like the recent custody adjustment filing by Brad or the “mean” texts from cheer moms — using whatever pen was closest at hand.

A relative who viewed portions of the journal described McGeehan’s writing as increasingly fragmented in the final weeks, with repeated themes of being watched, judged, and on the verge of losing Addi. The “documenting” reference aligns with her documented “marital obsessions” with Brad and McKennly, as well as her nurse’s testimony that she was “obsessed with losing Addi Smith.”

The Final Weeks: Exhaustion, Therapy Gaps, and Escalating Fears

McGeehan’s last known statement about her condition — “I’m not unstable. I’m exhausted” — was shared with a close friend days before the Vegas trip. Therapy records confirm she dramatically increased her appointments in the final month, requesting more than double her usual sessions. Yet none were completed: some were canceled the day before, others simply went unattended.

This gap between seeking help and following through is now central to understanding her mindset. A relative who accompanied her to the February 12 doctor visit for a medication adjustment described her as “frantic yet resolute,” insisting she was simply tired from the endless fight.

Medical notes from August 2025 already flagged “episodes under extreme stress,” and the court-submitted copy still has the unresolved issue of a missing physician’s signature on the final page.

The 1:47 a.m. Email and Rejected Calls

Hours before the tragedy, at 1:47 a.m., McGeehan sent Brad a 1,982-word email titled “Schedule Change.” Attached was a draft parenting schedule with one entire item blacked out. The email’s repetitive language echoed her journal fears of loss and control.

The night before the mediation hearing tied to Brad’s January 2026 custody adjustment filing, she rejected three FaceTime calls from Brad’s phone. The fourth call, from McKennly’s number, connected briefly.

Neighbors had previously overheard the argument in which McGeehan shouted “You won’t take her from me,” and a relative revealed she once warned Brad, “Don’t say that in front of her,” around the time Addi began calling the two houses by different names.

Custody History: A Decade of Tension

The paranoia in the journal entry cannot be separated from the family’s long legal battle. In 2020, courts found McGeehan committed domestic abuse in Addi’s presence and engaged in parental alienation, leading to supervised visits. Joint custody was restored in May 2024, but Brad’s recent filing sought adjustments, triggering McGeehan’s deepest fears.

Cheer Pressures and the Vegas Trip

Addi was thriving in her first season with Utah Xtreme Cheer. The JAMZ Nationals trip was meant to be joyful, but McGeehan faced “mean” texts blaming Addi for a stunt drop. A teammate noted Addi’s unusual silence during warm-ups.

Early Sunday posts showed Addi backflipping at 5 a.m., but they missed events, leading to the welfare check and discovery of the bodies at 2:30 p.m.

Investigation Update

LVMPD and Utah authorities continue analyzing the journal, email, therapy gaps, and scene evidence (cracked phone, hidden recorder, sealed envelope). The different-colored pen is being tested for timing and significance.

Community Mourning and Lessons Learned

UXC mourns Addi as a “beautiful girl.” GoFundMe supports Brad’s family. Blue ribbons and vigils continue in West Jordan.

The case highlights the need for better mental health monitoring in custody disputes and parental support in youth sports.

As the blacked-out journal line and therapy gaps are examined, one phrase lingers: “They’re documenting me.” It may be the key to understanding a mother who felt the world was closing in — and chose to end the fight on her terms.

The Rio’s lights still shine, but the shadows of this tragedy grow longer with every revelation.

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