The case of George Tiaffay is one of those true crime stories that leaves a permanent pit in your stomach. It’s not just the brutality of what happened to Shauna Tiaffay, a beloved Palms Casino cocktail waitress. It’s the chilling detail that her husband, a West Point grad and firefighter, walked their 8-year-old daughter into the crime scene. Since that horrific morning in 2012, people have naturally asked: who has custody of madison tiaffay?
When a mother is murdered and a father is sent to prison for life, the child is left in a legal and emotional vacuum. Madison was just a little girl when her world imploded.
Today, she is an adult, a college athlete, and a survivor. The journey from that Summerlin apartment to where she is now involves a protective family and a total shift in her environment.
The Immediate Aftermath and the Fight for Madison
In the days following Shauna’s murder, things were chaotic. George Tiaffay wasn’t arrested immediately. For a short, terrifying window, he actually had Madison. He even wrote a note that was later found by investigators, essentially "granting" custody to his own family if something happened to him.
He wanted to control the narrative even then.
Once the hammer-for-hire plot came to light and George was arrested, the family court system took over. In high-profile tragedies like this, the goal is stability. Shauna’s family—specifically her sister Paula Stokes-Richards—stepped up immediately. They didn't just want to protect her; they wanted to get her out of the Las Vegas spotlight where her father’s face was on every news station.
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Madison eventually moved away from Nevada. She was raised by her maternal relatives, primarily in a stable, loving environment that shielded her from the media circus surrounding her father’s 2015 trial and subsequent life sentence.
Life After the Headlines: Madison Tiaffay Today
You might be surprised to learn that the little girl who was once a tragic "detail" in a murder trial has grown into a powerhouse. As of 2026, Madison Tiaffay is no longer a child in need of a legal guardian. She is a woman making her own name.
She is currently a standout track and field athlete at Emory University.
- She competes in mid-distance events (800m and 1500m).
- She has set school records and earned All-American honors.
- Her hometown is listed as Alameda, California, which confirms where she likely spent her formative years after leaving Las Vegas.
It’s honestly incredible. Think about the trauma of being 8 years old and discovering your mother’s body. Most people would break. Instead, Madison has channeled that energy into becoming one of the top Division III runners in the country. Her success is a massive testament to the family that raised her after the tragedy.
The Role of the Stokes-Richards Family
While George Tiaffay sits in a cell at High Desert State Prison serving life without parole, Madison’s maternal family stayed quiet and focused. Paula Stokes-Richards was vocal during the trial about the "pure evil" George committed, but afterward, the family retreated to give Madison a normal life.
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They didn't sell her story. They didn't do the talk show circuit.
Basically, they gave her the one thing George tried to take away: a future. By moving her to Northern California, they allowed her to be "Madison the athlete" rather than "Madison the daughter of the firefighter who hired a hitman."
Legal Realities of the Case
Technically, the "custody" question ended when Madison turned 18. However, from a legal standpoint:
- Termination of Parental Rights: While George’s rights weren't always formally terminated in the early stages, his life sentence effectively ended his ability to have any say in her upbringing.
- Guardianship: Shauna’s siblings took the lead. They provided the home, the education, and the emotional support system.
- Financials: There were various civil suits and insurance issues following Shauna's death, but the primary focus was always on ensuring Madison had the resources to go to college.
It’s a heavy story. You’ve got a father who was a hero on paper—West Point, firefighter—who turned out to be a monster. And then you have a daughter who took that wreckage and built a life that her mother, Shauna, would have been incredibly proud of.
Moving Forward and Finding Peace
If you're looking for Madison today, you won't find her talking about the crime. You'll find her on a track. She is a senior at Emory (2025-2026 season) and continues to dominate the UAA conference.
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The question of who has custody of Madison Tiaffay is settled by time and resilience. She belongs to herself now, supported by a family that picked up the pieces when everything shattered.
Practical Steps for Supporting Families in Crisis:
- Follow Court Directives: In cases of domestic tragedy, legal guardianship is often processed through family court—staying informed via official records is the only way to get the real story.
- Respect Privacy: Survivors of high-profile crimes often change locations or names (though Madison kept hers) to heal. Respecting those boundaries is vital.
- Support Domestic Violence Programs: Cases like Shauna's often involve "red flags" that go unnoticed. Organizations like The National Domestic Violence Hotline provide resources for families before things escalate to violence.
Madison's story is finished in the courts, but her personal story is just getting started on the track.
Actionable Insight: If you or someone you know is in a situation involving domestic instability, contact local family legal aid services immediately to establish emergency guardianship protocols. Setting these up early can be life-saving for children involved in high-conflict separations.