Utah Mother Was Involved in Custody Battle Before Killing Her 11-Year-Old Daughter & Herself
The Utah mother, whose authorities say killed her daughter before taking her own life, was previously involved in a bitter, years-long, and lengthy custody battle with her ex-husband, going back to their 2015 divorce. The Utah mother and her daughter, who the Clark County Coroner’s Office identified as Tawnia McGeehan, 34, and her 11-year-old daughter, Addilyn Smith.
Officers Find Utah Mother and Daughter Unresponsive After Multiple Welfare Checks
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police received a request to do a welfare check Sunday morning at the Rio for the mom and daughter. McGeehan and Addilyn were in Las Vegas for a cheer competition. Officers and security personnel knocked on their door and called into their room multiple times, but no one responded. Initially, there was no reason at the time to believe that either McGeehan or Addilyn was in danger, and the officers left the hotel. Later in the day, just before 2:30 p.m., security officers decided to enter the room after more requests to check on the Utah mother and daughter, and both were found unresponsive.
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Circumstances Surrounding Mother and Daughter’s Deaths
Both McGeehan and Addilyn were pronounced dead at the scene, and LVMPD returned to the room with medical personnel. Homicide detectives concluded that McGeehan shot her 11-year-old daughter before taking her own life. In a statement obtained by News3LV, LVMPD homicide Lt. Robert Price said, “The mother is in her mid-thirties and the daughter is a pre-teen.”
Utah Xtreme, Addilyn’s cheer team, released a Facebook statement. The statement, which 2KUTV obtained, read, “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. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers and continue to send them love as they navigate this unimaginable loss. We ask that you respect their privacy during this time. Addi, we love you tremendously.”
Utah Custody Dispute Connected to Family Tragedy
Investigators in Las Vegas have not yet released a motive, as the investigation is ongoing and the case remains under active review. Detectives are examining the scene, interviewing witnesses, and coordinating with officials in Utah to piece together the events that led to the deaths.
Court records obtained by FOX5 Vegas show that McGeehan and her ex-husband, Brad Smith, had been “involved in a custody dispute since Addilyn was a toddler.” McGeehan temporarily lost custody of Addilyn in 2020 after a judge found she had engaged in conduct that could alienate the child from her father. The filings also revealed that McGeehan committed domestic abuse in front of Addilyn and raised questions about McGeehan’s ability to co‑parent.
In 2021, McGeehan filed for a temporary restraining order alleging that Addilyn’s stepmother had recorded parent‑time exchanges in violation of a custody agreement. By 2024, the parents reached a new arrangement in the Utah family court. The agreement awarded joint legal and physical custody, with the child spending alternating weeks with each parent. Police have not yet released a motive for the murder-suicide.
