Brad Smith, the longtime partner of missing Utah mother Addi Smith, has publicly acknowledged for the first time that fresh disputes have erupted surrounding Addi’s planned travel schedule in the weeks leading up to her disappearance. In an exclusive interview granted to local media on February 23, 2026, Smith admitted the issue had “flared up again” after months of relative calm, adding fuel to an already volatile investigation. The revelation comes just days after investigators disclosed a significant new find: a handwritten calendar page recovered from Tawnia McGeehan’s wallet, featuring a single date aggressively circled in red ink.
Addi Smith, 29, vanished from her home in Layton, Utah, on November 12, 2025. Initially reported as a possible runaway or voluntary departure, the case shifted dramatically when forensic analysis of her vehicle—found abandoned near the Great Salt Lake—revealed traces of blood consistent with her DNA profile. Tawnia McGeehan, Addi’s estranged mother-in-law and a person of interest since early in the probe, was arrested in January 2026 on unrelated fraud charges but has since been named a key figure in Addi’s disappearance. McGeehan maintains her innocence and claims no knowledge of Addi’s whereabouts.
The calendar page, discovered during a court-authorized search of McGeehan’s personal effects on February 18, 2026, was tucked inside a concealed compartment of her wallet. Dated November 2025, the single sheet lists routine appointments—dentist visits, car maintenance, a hair salon booking—until November 11, the day before Addi vanished. That date is circled multiple times in thick red marker, with an additional notation in small script: “A travel.” Authorities have not released the full page publicly but confirmed the circled entry aligns precisely with Addi’s last confirmed communication—a text to her sister at 8:47 p.m. on November 11 stating she was “packing for a quick trip.”
Brad Smith’s admission adds critical context. In the interview, he described renewed arguments with Addi in late October and early November 2025 over her intention to travel alone to visit extended family in Idaho. According to Smith, Addi had become increasingly withdrawn after discovering old messages on his phone from a former coworker, reigniting trust issues that had simmered since 2023. “She wanted space,” Smith said. “She kept saying she needed to ‘clear her head’ and that a few days away would help. I didn’t want her driving alone in winter, especially with the kids staying behind. It got heated.”
Multiple witnesses corroborate the tension. Addi’s best friend told investigators she received a tearful call from Addi on November 8 in which Addi said she felt “trapped” and was seriously considering separating after the trip. Neighbors reported hearing loud voices from the Smith residence on November 10, though no police were called. Smith acknowledges the fights but insists they were “normal marital disagreements” and that he supported Addi taking time for herself.
The red-circled date has now become a focal point. Prosecutors working with the Davis County Sheriff’s Office and FBI task force believe it may represent foreknowledge or planning related to Addi’s disappearance. McGeehan’s attorney argues the notation is innocuous—possibly a reminder for Addi’s travel plans that McGeehan jotted down during a family conversation. However, the aggressive circling and hidden placement in the wallet have raised suspicions of premeditation or significance beyond routine scheduling.
Digital forensics on Addi’s phone show she searched for hotels and gas stations along the I-15 corridor to Idaho Falls on November 10 and 11. Google Maps timeline data indicates her phone traveled approximately 12 miles north of Layton before going dark around 10:15 p.m. on November 11—hours before she was reported missing. The vehicle was later found partially submerged in shallow water near Antelope Island, with the driver’s side window down and personal items missing.
Brad Smith has voluntarily submitted DNA, phone records, and financial statements. He passed a polygraph examination in December 2025 regarding direct involvement in Addi’s disappearance, though investigators note polygraphs are not infallible. He has consistently maintained that he last saw Addi when she left the house around 9:30 p.m. on November 11 to “run an errand” and never returned. He reported her missing the following afternoon after she failed to pick up their children from school.
McGeehan’s role remains murky. She had a documented strained relationship with Addi, stemming from disagreements over parenting and financial support after McGeehan’s son—Addi’s former husband—passed away in a 2022 motorcycle accident. McGeehan briefly lived with the Smiths in 2024 before moving to an apartment in Ogden. Cell data places her phone near the Smith residence on November 10 and again early on November 12, though she claims she was dropping off holiday gifts.
The discovery of the calendar page has intensified pressure on McGeehan. Prosecutors are seeking additional warrants to examine her vehicle and storage unit for trace evidence. A judge granted a protective order preventing the release of the full calendar image to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
Addi’s family has launched a public campaign urging anyone with information to come forward. A reward fund now exceeds $150,000. Vigils continue weekly in Layton, with candles forming the words “Bring Addi Home.” Community members describe Addi as a devoted mother, talented photographer, and kind neighbor whose sudden absence has left a gaping hole.
As tensions between Brad Smith and investigators reportedly resurface over travel-related questions, the red-circled date stands as one of the most tantalizing—and troubling—clues yet. Whether it marks a planned departure, a coordinated act, or something far more sinister remains unanswered. With each new disclosure, the case grows more complex, keeping the small Utah community—and a national audience—on edge for the truth about what happened to Addi Smith.
