A Devastating Discovery Unfolds (Image Credits: Pixabay)
Las Vegas – Police uncovered a heartbreaking murder-suicide at the Rio Hotel and Casino involving a Utah mother and her young daughter.[1][2]
A Devastating Discovery Unfolds
Officers responded to a welfare check at the Rio on a Sunday morning. The call came from the girl’s father, who grew concerned after failing to hear from his ex-wife and daughter. Police knocked and called out for about 20 minutes but received no response. With no signs of immediate danger, they departed the scene.[1][3]
Hotel security later entered the room around 2:30 p.m. following another request. They found 34-year-old Tawnia Hope McGeehan and her 11-year-old daughter, Addilyn Smith, unresponsive. Both had suffered gunshot wounds. Medical personnel pronounced them dead at the location.[2]
Homicide investigators quickly determined that McGeehan shot her daughter before turning the gun on herself. The coroner ruled the mother’s death a suicide from a gunshot to the head. Rulings for Addilyn remained pending at the time.[1]
Years of Custody Struggles Surface
Court records revealed a prolonged battle over Addilyn’s custody between McGeehan and her ex-husband, Brad Smith. The couple divorced in 2017 after McGeehan filed in 2015. Their agreement initially granted the mother slightly more parenting time in a shared arrangement.[3]
Tensions escalated in 2020 when a temporary order awarded Smith sole custody. The court cited McGeehan’s parental alienation behaviors and instances of domestic abuse in the child’s presence. McGeehan later secured supervised visitation through a 2021 restraining order petition.
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By 2024, a modification restored joint custody with alternating weeks. Exchanges occurred at Addilyn’s school or a police station, with vehicles required to park at least five spaces apart. The case saw multiple attorney changes, marking it as unusually contentious.[3]
A Bright Young Athlete’s Life Cut Short
Addilyn, known affectionately as Addi, shone as a cheerleader with Utah Xtreme Cheer. The team described her as a beloved athlete whose loss devastated the community. She and her mother had traveled to Las Vegas for a cheer competition when the tragedy struck.[2]
A verified fundraiser launched by Addilyn’s uncle, Greg Smith, supports funeral costs for her father and stepmother. It highlights the family’s profound shock and grief. Authorities discovered a note in the room, though its contents stayed private.[2]
- Cheerleading trip brought mother and daughter to Las Vegas.
- Beloved by her Utah Xtreme Cheer family.
- Fundraiser aids surviving relatives with expenses.
- Note found, but details undisclosed.
- No prior danger indicators noted by police.
Grandmother Speaks Out on the ‘Real Truth’
The girl’s grandmother vowed that the public would learn the full story behind the incident. Her statement hinted at complexities beyond the surface reporting, possibly tied to the custody disputes. This comes amid revelations of the family’s turbulent history.[4]
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police continue their investigation without a confirmed motive. Lieutenant Robert Price confirmed the sequence of events based on evidence at the scene. The community mourns while questions linger about preventive measures.[2]
Key Takeaways:
- A welfare check failed to uncover the bodies earlier due to no response or danger signs.
- Custody fights spanned years, involving alienation claims and supervised visits.
- Addilyn’s cheer community rallies in grief for the promising young athlete.
This case underscores the hidden strains in family conflicts. What steps can prevent such outcomes? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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