A Utah mother who fatally shot her 11-year-old daughter inside a Las Vegas hotel room before taking her own life had previously temporarily lost custody of the child, according to reports.
Addilyn Smith, a cheerleader from Utah, was found dead alongside her mother, Tawnia McGeehan, 34, after officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department discovered their bodies on Sunday, Feb. 15. Authorities said the two were in Las Vegas for a cheerleading tournament.
Court documents cited in reports indicate Addilyn’s parents divorced in 2017. Records show that in December 2020, a Utah County court granted Addilyn’s father sole custody on a temporary basis. A judge referenced parental alienation and said McGeehan committed domestic abuse in front of Addilyn. Under the order, McGeehan was required to have a third party present during her parenting time, according to reports.
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The custody arrangement was later modified in May 2024, when a judge granted both parents joint legal and physical custody. It was not immediately clear what prompted the change.
Addilyn’s death has deeply affected her cheer community. Utah Xtreme Cheer shared a tribute on Facebook, saying she was “so beyond loved” and would “always be a part” of the program. Emily Morgan, who previously coached Addilyn, told reporters that the child was proud of her work and carried an attitude that made her stand out.
Authorities said the bodies were discovered after Addilyn’s cheer team requested welfare checks when she missed the competition Sunday morning. Police initially responded to the hotel room but received no answer and did not find an immediate reason for concern. Later, after additional requests, hotel security entered the room and found both individuals.
Investigators have not publicly identified a motive, and it remains unclear what led up to the shooting.
