Mom Kills Cheerleader Daughter in Las Vegas Hotel During Tournament

Tawnia McGeehan had previously lost custody of 11-year-old Addilyn Smith due to parental alienation

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Tawnia McGeehan, 34, killed her 11-year-old daughter Addilyn Smith in a Las Vegas hotel room before dying by suicide. The two were in town for a cheerleading tournament when the incident occurred. Court records show McGeehan had previously lost custody of Addilyn due to parental alienation, but the custody arrangement had been modified in 2024 to give both parents joint custody.

Why it matters

This tragic case highlights the complex and heartbreaking issues surrounding custody disputes and parental alienation, and the devastating consequences that can occur when a parent loses custody of a child. It also raises questions about how to better support families and prevent such tragedies.

The details

According to police, hotel security guards found the bodies of McGeehan and Addilyn on Sunday, February 15, after the cheer team requested a welfare check when Addilyn missed the competition. Court records show that in 2020, a judge had granted Addilyn's father sole custody, citing McGeehan's parental alienation and domestic abuse in front of Addilyn. The custody arrangement was later modified in 2024 to give both parents joint custody, but the details of that change are unclear.

  • On Sunday, February 15, hotel security found the bodies of McGeehan and Addilyn.
  • In December 2020, a Utah court granted Addilyn's father sole custody, citing McGeehan's parental alienation.
  • In May 2024, the custody arrangement was modified to give both parents joint legal and physical custody.

The players

Tawnia McGeehan

The 34-year-old mother who killed her 11-year-old daughter Addilyn Smith before dying by suicide.

Addilyn Smith

The 11-year-old cheerleader from Utah who was killed by her mother in a Las Vegas hotel room.

Addilyn's father

The father who was granted sole custody of Addilyn in 2020 due to McGeehan's parental alienation.

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What they’re saying

“She was so beyond loved, and she will always be a part of the UXC family.”

— Utah Xtreme Cheer, Cheer team (Facebook)

“As a coach, that's the dream. And because of that attitude, I always knew she was going to go far in this experience.”

— Emily Morgan, Former coach of Addilyn (KUTV)

What’s next

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and authorities have not yet released a motive for the killing.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the importance of addressing custody disputes and parental alienation issues before they escalate to violence, and the need for greater support and resources for families facing such challenges.