A cheer competition in Las Vegas turned into a heartbreaking tragedy this week. What was supposed to be a weekend of routines, smiles, and team spirit ended in unimaginable loss for Tawnia McGeehan and Addi Smith.
Police say Tawnia McGeehan fatally shot herself and her young daughter, Addi Smith, while in the city for a cheer event. The incident happened inside a hotel room. Officers responded after receiving reports of gunfire. When they arrived, they found both mother and daughter with fatal injuries.
It also turns out that Tawnia McGeehan had a custody battle for her daughter which lasted 9 years.
The papers show multiple instances where Tawnia was accused of custodial interference, but the charges were later dismissed.
In the original temporary orders from 2015, Tawnia and her ex, Bradley Smith, agreed that Addi would live with Tawnia as her primary residence, but that Bradley was to be granted parent time and joint custody.
But in 2020, there was a temporary order in which Tawnia was accused of subjecting Addi to “behavior on the spectrum of parental alienation.” The papers also allege Tawnia committed domestic abuse in front of the child.
This 2020 order determined Bradley would have temporary sole custody of Addi, having “demonstrated a better understanding of the child’s needs.”
Then in 2021, Tawnia filed a temporary restraining order and alleged she was being recorded by Addi’s stepmom during their parent-time exchanges.
In the end, Tawnia and Bradley were awarded joint legal and physical custody of Addi with one week on and one week off in 2024.
If you or someone you know is dealing with thoughts of self-harm, it is important to reach out for support or call/text 988.
For now, two lives have been lost. A team is grieving, families are shaken. What should have been a weekend of cheer and celebration will now be remembered for sorrow.
