What started as a missing persons report ended in a hotel room tragedy that no one saw coming. And now, newly surfaced records are painting a far more complicated picture of the days and years leading up to it.
The woman and her 11-year-old daughter found dead in a reported murder-suicide at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas were identified as Tawnia McGeehan, 34, of West Jordan, Utah, and her daughter, Addilyn Smith.
But as heartbreaking as the discovery was, court documents now suggest that trouble may have been lurking in their family life for a long time, particularly relating to Addilyn’s father and his attitude toward their daughter.
Addilyn Smith posing in a parking lot, from a post dated February 17, 2026 | Source: Facebook/Ilea Pacheco
A Custody Battle Years In The Making
According to the Clark County Coroner’s Office, Tawnia’s death has officially been ruled a suicide. But authorities were still awaiting official rulings on Addilyn’s cause and manner of death as of February 17, 2026.
Although the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department continues to investigate, legal documents have revealed a deeper consideration in their case.
These newly reviewed court records outline a custody fight between Tawnia and Addilyn’s father, Bradley Smith, that stretched back more than a decade.
Tawnia McGeehan and Addilyn Smith posing on a rock formation, from a post dated February 17, 2026 | Source: Facebook/Ilea Pacheco
The pair’s divorce proceedings began in 2015, and a decree was finalized in 2017 in Utah’s 4th District Court. What followed were years of filings, motions, and heated disputes over parent-time and custody arrangements.
In May 2024, a judge updated the divorce decree to grant both parents equal responsibility and time with their child. The new arrangement established joint legal and physical custody, requiring the child to switch homes every other week.
On paper, the order appeared structured and clear.
Addilyn Smith posing in front of the replica of the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas, from a post dated February 17, 2026 | Source: Facebook/Ilea Pacheco
Exchanges took place at the child’s school during the academic year, shifting to the Herriman Police Department during breaks.
Furthermore, to keep the process orderly, the court required the parents to park at least five spaces away from each other. The order also strictly forbade both parties from filming their daughter during these times.
Tawnia McGeehan and Addilyn Smith posing together, from a post dated February 17, 2026 | Source: Facebook/Ilea Pacheco
There was even a provision allowing one parent to keep Addilyn overnight if the other failed to pick her up from school during scheduled parent-time. This level of detail hinted at a relationship strained far beyond the ordinary.
And that was only the latest chapter.
Earlier Rulings Raised Serious Concerns
Digging further into the records reveals an even more contentious period.
In December 2020, after a temporary order hearing, the court granted Bradley sole physical custody on a temporary basis. The judge determined that changing custody was in Addilyn’s best interest at the time.
The court expressed significant worry regarding Tawnia’s actions, noting that her conduct mirrored patterns of parental alienation.
Furthermore, the judge found that she had committed domestic violence while the child was nearby. Ultimately, the ruling cast serious doubt on her capacity to cooperate effectively as a parent.
Addilyn Smith smiling, from a post dated February 17, 2026 | Source: Facebook/Ilea Pacheco
The court even mandated that a third party oversee her visitation sessions, requiring her to cover all associated costs.
In May 2020, several months prior, the court commanded Tawnia to attend a hearing to justify why the judge should not hold her in contempt.
This legal notice stemmed from allegations that she had refused to provide scheduled visitation and failed to cover insurance premiums. The court explicitly cautioned her that these violations could result in penalties, such as a 30-day jail sentence.
To sum up, the legal documents show a long history of requests to change custody and a move from Salt Lake County to Utah County in early 2015. All of these filings paint a clear picture of a years-long fight over Addilyn.
Yet the courtroom battles were only part of what was unfolding.
Alarming Allegations Surface Online
In the days following the tragedy, a Facebook page called Vacationland Mama shared troubling screenshots that allegedly came from Tawnia’s now-private Instagram account.
The posts appear to show text messages sent by Bradley.
One message, uploaded on February 22, 2018, read, “I’ve told you easily 4 [expletive] times now that she’s going to daycare you stupid [expletive] [expletive].” Another stated, “You are one jealous fat ugly stupid [expletive] of a [expletive].”
According to Tawnia, she had simply asked whether their daughter was already at daycare and suggested that her own mother could watch Addilyn if not. The response was seemingly that explosive.
But the texts were not the only claims shared online.
In another lengthy post, Tawnia allegedly wrote, “I need advice I have no idea what to do since I am terrified of Brad.”
She went on to describe several supposed incidents involving Addilyn during visits with her father and his girlfriend. According to the post, Addilyn had begun seeing a therapist and had disclosed troubling experiences.
“The things Addi has been telling me in the last two weeks is awful,” Tawnia wrote, explaining that her daughter said she was restricted from eating pizza at a birthday party and was only allowed chocolate.
She also claimed that Addilyn had not been properly bathed and had developed rashes. Even more disturbing were allegations that her daughter had been told not to tell her about things that happened at her father’s house.
Tawnia wrote that the therapist had advised her to contact Child Protective Services. Still, she admitted to being afraid of retaliation. “I just can’t make up my mind on calling CPS,” she wrote.
In yet another post, she alleged that during Christmas 2020, Addilyn told her that her father’s girlfriend had kicked her while Bradley was passed out on the couch.
“Whole [expletive] reason I was so [expletive] off when they amended the protective order to where she can be around Addi, but not alone,” the post read. “I knew [expletive] well… that brad would be passed out and not do anything.”
These claims have not been independently verified, and no charges related to those allegations have been publicly announced.
The Father’s Record
Apart from the custody battle, 2News reported that Bradley has several other legal marks on his record. His history involves a 2023 DUI, multiple traffic tickets, and child support liens from both 2015 and 2024.
Additionally, he faced a trespassing charge in 2013, though the court eventually dropped that case. While those records do not directly tie to the events in Las Vegas, they add another layer to an already complex narrative.
What Happened in Las Vegas?
Tawnia and Addilyn traveled to Las Vegas for a cheer competition over the weekend. When the pair failed to arrive, alarm bells rang. According to ABC4, Utah Xtreme Cheer reported them missing on Sunday morning, February 15, after they did not show up for the event.
Illuminated hotel sign. | Source: Getty Images
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a welfare check at the Rio Hotel and Casino around 10:45 a.m. on Sunday.
Police knocked repeatedly and called out to the mother and daughter, but there was no response, Lt. Robert Price said during a press conference.
After officers cleared the scene, hotel security continued receiving urgent calls from concerned family and friends. Eventually, security entered the room.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department parked on the street. | Source: Getty Images
Inside, they discovered a woman in her mid-30s and a preteen girl deceased. UXC Coaches identified the deceased as Tawnia and Addilyn. Police believe the deaths were an apparent murder-suicide, according to ABC4.
“This is a sad and tragic incident, and our hearts go out to the family,” police reportedly said during the press conference. The investigation remains ongoing.
Why the Loss Is Hitting So Hard
Addilyn wasn’t just another athlete. In an emotional interview cited by ABC4, Utah Xtreme Cheer gym owner Kory Uyetake described her as the team’s spark.
Addilyn “was kind of a hype man on the team, she was always the person to get up there and get the kids pumped up when things weren’t really going their way.”
“She was an athlete that just embodied everything that we that we [sic] strive to have and we strive to do and teach our kids at my gym.”
The cheer organization later shared a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram, writing, “With the heaviest hearts, we share the devastating news that our sweet athlete Addi has passed away.”
“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,” the post read on.