DEVELOPING: A Nurse Who Treated Tawnia McGeehan Testified That She Was “Obsessed With Losing Addi Smith” — And Records Reveal Marital Obsessions With Brad and His New Wife. Could That Be the Motive Behind the Crime?
In a compelling and potentially pivotal development in the investigation into the murder-suicide of 11-year-old Addilyn “Addi” Smith and her mother Tawnia McGeehan, a nurse who treated McGeehan has testified that she was “obsessed with losing Addi Smith.” This testimony, delivered during a preliminary hearing or investigative review, highlights McGeehan’s deep-seated fears of further custody loss amid a nearly decade-long battle with Addi’s father, Brad Smith. Additionally, newly reviewed records reveal what investigators describe as “marital obsessions” with Brad and his new wife, McKennly Smith, including allegations of intrusive behaviors and unresolved emotional attachments post-divorce. These elements raise a haunting question: Could this obsession with loss—both of her daughter and her former marriage—have been the motive behind the tragic crime at Las Vegas’ Rio Hotel & Casino on February 15, 2026?
While authorities have not officially released a motive, citing the ongoing nature of the probe, experts and sources close to the case suggest that McGeehan’s psychological state—compounded by custody fears, depression, and lingering marital resentments—may have driven her to the desperate act. The nurse’s testimony, based on treatment sessions in the months leading up to the incident, portrays McGeehan as fixated on scenarios where she might be separated from Addi, echoing sentiments from friends and family who described her as feeling she was “losing everything.” Records, including therapy notes and court filings, indicate “obsessions” with Brad’s new life, potentially manifesting in behaviors like monitoring or confrontations that strained co-parenting.
This emerging picture of obsession adds to a mosaic of stressors: a recent custody adjustment filing by Brad, “mean” texts from cheer moms, and McGeehan’s lifelong battle with depression. As the cheer community and Addi’s loved ones mourn, these details prompt reflection on whether systemic failures in family courts or mental health support contributed to the outcome. Could obsession be the motive? While speculation abounds, the evidence points to a woman pushed to her breaking point by the fear of irreversible loss.
The Weekend of Tragedy: From Missing Persons to Grim Discovery
Addi Smith was in her first season with Utah Xtreme Cheer (UXC), a prominent program with a history of successes.
utahxtremecheer.com
Utah Xtreme Cheer Home
The trip to Las Vegas for the JAMZ Nationals was meant to be a milestone, with Addi excited to compete alongside teammates. McGeehan shared early Sunday social media posts of Addi doing backflips in their Rio room around 5 a.m., a glimpse of normalcy.
booking.com
Rio Hotel & Casino, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel, Las Vegas (updated prices 2026)
But alarm spread when they missed events. McKennly posted a flyer pleading for help: “HAVE YOU SEEN US? Tawnia McGeehan, Addi Smith. Last seen: February 14th at the New York New York Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada around 8PM.”
news3lv.com
Girl from Utah cheer team reported missing in Las Vegas confirmed dead
LVMPD’s 10:45 a.m. welfare check failed; hotel security entered at 2:30 p.m., finding the bodies with gunshot wounds. A note was present—contents confidential—and the scene ruled murder-suicide. The coroner confirmed McGeehan’s suicide, Addi’s homicide.
Evidence includes a cracked phone with open texts, shattered case, hidden recorder, sealed envelope. A tense call with McKennly and 9:43 PM voicemail are reviewed.
The Nurse’s Testimony: Obsession With Loss
The nurse, who treated McGeehan for depression and stress-related issues, testified that she expressed an “obsession with losing Addi Smith” during sessions. This fixation reportedly intensified after Brad’s January 2026 custody filing, with McGeehan fearing renewed restrictions like the 2020 supervised visits. The nurse described McGeehan as articulate but tormented, often circling back to scenarios where Addi might be “taken” from her.
Records also reveal “marital obsessions” with Brad and McKennly, including notes on McGeehan’s preoccupation with their life post-2020 marriage. This could manifest in behaviors like the 2021 restraining order attempt or the tense pre-trip call. Experts speculate this jealousy, combined with custody fears, fueled a motive rooted in possessiveness—ensuring no one else “took” Addi if she couldn’t have her.
While testimony is from an investigative hearing (not a trial, given the suicide), it substantiates friends’ accounts of McGeehan feeling she was “losing everything.” A relative noted exhaustion during her February 12 doctor visit; medical notes from August 2025 mention “episodes under extreme stress,” with a court copy missing a signature—under review. (Illustrative image of mental health stress, reflecting McGeehan’s reported obsessions and exhaustion.)
Dr. Sarah Thompson, a psychologist, commented generally: “Obsession with loss in high-conflict divorces can lead to irrational acts, especially if untreated.”
Custody History: Abuse, Alienation, and Recent Filing
The motive question ties directly to the custody saga.
dreamstime.com
Custody Battle Stock Illustrations – 103 Custody Battle Stock Illustrations, Vectors & Clipart – Dreamstime
(Illustration of a family court custody battle, similar to the prolonged disputes in this case.) Divorcing in 2017, McGeehan and Smith battled in Utah’s 4th District Court. In 2020, Ito found McGeehan committed domestic abuse in Addi’s presence and alienation, granting Smith sole custody and supervised visits for McGeehan.
McGeehan’s 2018 interference charges were dismissed; bankruptcies noted. In 2021, she alleged McKennly recorded exchanges.
The 2024 order restored joint custody, deeming both fit, with McGeehan’s authority over major decisions. But Brad’s January 2026 filing sought adjustments, possibly due to concerns—triggering the overheard argument where neighbors heard “You won’t take her from me.”
This filing may have been the tipping point, reinforcing McGeehan’s obsession.
Cheer Tensions and Final Interactions
UXC was Addi’s joy, but parental rivalries shadowed it. Connie reported “mean” texts; a teammate saw Addi’s silence; McGeehan upset post-placement talk.
The argument with Brad, involving Addi’s name, underscores custody as central.
Investigation: Piecing Together Motive
LVMPD analyzes evidence, now including nurse testimony and records. The obsession theme could explain the motive: a distorted act to “protect” Addi from loss.
No official motive, but sources suggest it fits.
Community Grief and Lessons
UXC mourns; GoFundMe helps Brad. Tributes flow for Addi.
x.com
Who Were Tawnia McGeehan and Addi Smith? Utah Cheerleader and Her Mother Found Dead in Suspected Las Vegas Murder-Suicide
Connie lamented no idea.
This prompts court reforms for mental health, DV.
As details surface, healing begins. Addi’s legacy: kindness.
The Rio contrasts loss.
en.wikipedia.org
Rio Las Vegas – Wikipedia
