Docs reveal longtime custody dispute after mother, daughter found dead in Las Vegas hotel
Cheer team contacts police when 11-year-old fails to show for compe
 A mother shot and killed her 11-year-old daughter before turning the gun on herself in a Las Vegas hotel room over the weekend in an apparent murder-suicide, police said.
Tawnia McGeehan, 38, and her daughter Addi Smith were found dead Sunday afternoon at the Rio Hotel & Casino. The pair from Utah was in town for a cheerleading tournament.
Metro Police were called to the hotel at 10:45 a.m. Sunday for a welfare check after the cheer team contacted authorities when Addi failed to show up for the competition that morning.
“They knocked several times, and they called into the room without any answer. At that point in time, without anything else and no other information and nothing else suspicious, those officers advised security, and they cleared from the call,” police said.
Security discovers bodies after welfare check
After continued calls and social media posts seeking to locate the mother and daughter, hotel security returned to the room around 2:30 p.m. When no one answered the door, they entered the room.
“When they entered the room, they located two deceased females. They immediately backed up and called 911. Patrol arrived and secured the scene,” police said.
Addi’s team, Utah Xtreme, released a message on Facebook:
“We are completely heartbroken. No words do the situation justice. She was so beyond loved, and she will always be a part of the UXC family.”
Years of legal battles preceded tragedy
Court documents obtained by FOX5 show McGeehan and her ex-husband, Brad Smith, had been involved in a custody dispute since Addi was a toddler.
McGeehan temporarily lost custody of Addi in 2020 after the court determined she had acted in ways that could alienate the child from the father. Documents also revealed she had committed domestic abuse in front of Addi and said McGeehan’s ability to co-parent was in serious question.
In 2021, McGeehan filed a temporary restraining order alleging Addi’s stepmother was recording parent-time exchanges, a violation of a court custody agreement.
By 2024, McGeehan and Smith had reached an agreement. The court awarded joint legal and physical custody with one week on and one week off.
Police have not released a motive for the murder-suicide. The cheerleading team’s coach said grief counselors will be available Tuesday for families.
News
A STRANGE DETAIL IN THE FRONT SEAT: According to several reports cited by local media, some images from the scene show a small item lying near Declan Berry’s driver’s seat — this seemingly minor detail is drawing attention to the final moments before the accident
Two teenagers in car that crashed into river identified by police The body of Eden Bunn, 16, has been recovered from the River Nene near Wisbech but searches are continuing for 18-year-old Declan Berry. The car crashed into the River…
Breaking News: Police are offering a reward for information leading to Julian Ingram’s arrest, but a RUMORUS SPREADING about just ONE ADDRESS reveals what he fears
Shooting victims to be laid to rest as police offer reward for information leading to arrest of Julian Ingram Authorities believe the fugitive is still alive. Three victims of Julian Ingram’s alleged shooting spree in NSW will be laid to rest this…
THE CHAIR BY THE RIVER: Nicola Bulley’s phone was found neatly placed on a chair while a work call continued in silence — a chilling detail that has left many wondering why the device was left there
Retracing Nicola Bulley’s last known movements: Video tracks missing mother’s journey along river to bench where her phone was found after she vanished without a trace This video retraces the last known journey of missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley who mysteriously vanished…
A WALKER SAID THE AREA WAS “EERILY QUIET” One local told reporters they passed the path shortly after 9:25 a.m.
A WALKER SAID THE AREA WAS “EERILY QUIET” One local told reporters they passed the path shortly after 9:25 a.m. They remembered seeing the dog… but no one else nearby. Investigators later described that stretch of riverbank as isolated and…
THE DOG WAS FOUND FIRST A woman walking near River Wyre around 9:33 a.m. noticed Nicola’s dog running loose
THE DOG WAS FOUND FIRST A woman walking near River Wyre around 9:33 a.m. noticed Nicola’s dog running loose. The harness was still attached… but strangely not clipped to the lead. Nearby, Nicola’s phone remained on the bench — still…
THE PHONE AT 9:20 AM: Nicola Bulley’s phone was found still connected to a work meeting on a bench beside River Wyre — but the mother of two had vanished minutes earlier, leaving investigators puzzled about what could happen in such a short moment
Nicola Bulley: Chilling reality of TikTok sleuthing laid bare as family reveal true extent of torment Ahead of a new BBC documentary about Nicola Bulley, the Mirror takes a look at the chilling reality of the amateur TikTok sleuths whose…
End of content
No more pages to load
