MTV star Madison Channing Walls hit a ‘downward spiral’ over her dad’s sudden death 1 year before meth arrest 

MTV reality star Madison Channing Walls went on a “downward spiral” over her dad’s sudden death one year before she was arrested for drugs. 

Madison, 34, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance on January 10, 2025 after she was busted with meth and fentanyl. 

A source close to the Real World: Skeletons star exclusively told The U.S. Sun that she struggled after the passing of her dad Michael Shapshak in November 2023 from a heart attack. 

“She went on a downward spiral after losing her dad,” the insider said. “This happens when you lose a loved one. Sometimes trauma causes a spiral. 

“He was one of the only people on her side. He handled all of her affairs.”

“The arrest doesn’t surprise me. She’s been through a lot.”

The insider noted how Madison’s baby daddy, Tony Raines, got his ex-girlfriend Alyssa Giacone pregnant only months after welcoming his daughter Harper in 2016.

Tony and Alyssa are married today and live in Louisiana with their daughter Isla, 8.

The source continued, “She’s been through a lot. Tony ended up with Alyssa, they got married. They have that stability and family.

“But her focus has been her daughter. Her daughter is my biggest concern.”

When Madison’s father passed, she captioned a video of photos, “…. I haven’t been able to bring myself to do this, so bear with me. Daddy, your absence is felt everywhere in all of us. Somehow, you were all of our everything… You were my real life guardian angel my entire life, always saving me & never giving up even when we both wanted to… 

“Then the bond you shared with Harper was so special, everything I could have imagined for her, not just a grandpa, but someone she’s loved and counted on most in her life.

"We all miss you so incredibly much, & wish you didn’t have to leave us this soon.. But now everyone gets to know and share you as the angel I’ve always considered you to be… I love you daddy.”

DRUG STRUGGLE

Madison has been absent from social media since June 2024, as followers feared the reality star relapsed.

The U.S. Sun then reported she was arrested for possession of a controlled substance on January 10, 2025. 

In the Texas police report obtained by The U.S. Sun, the reporting officer explained how he observed a silver passenger car with an obscured temporary registration tag, resulting in a traffic stop.

The officer identified the car's passenger, driven by a male, as Madison. 

“I observed multiple paraphernalia items used for narcotics usage, such as torch lighters,” the report read.

During a search of the man, the officer found a small container in his pants pocket. 

The man allegedly admitted the pills found were Xanax and that he had no prescription. 

“Due to his admission to the possession of narcotics, I removed the bottle from his pocket. I asked him again what was in the bottle, and he said it had fentanyl inside. 

“I opened the container. And it concealed what I believed to be fentanyl in a hard rock-like shape.”

The officer also found a glass pipe on the man, which he allegedly admitted was used to smoke the fentanyl. 

The officer then had Madison exit the car, as she allegedly admitted to also having fentanyl. 

“I found a small round container in Walls’ backpack with a substance similar to what I found on [the man].

“Walls admitted to me that the substance was fentanyl and it belonged to her. I placed Walls under arrest for possession of a controlled substance, handcuffed her, and double-locked the cuffs.”

The officer continued to search the man’s car and found a small pink container with a crystal-like substance. 

“Both Walls and [the man] admitted to the crystal-like substance being methamphetamine and it was theirs," the report read.

“They both admitted to smoking the fentanyl I found on [the man] earlier in the day.

“Walls admitted to smoking the meth with [the man] last night.”

The substance tested positive for meth. 

They were both arrested for possession of a controlled substance. 

Madison was released from prison days later, on January 16, after her $10,000 bond was posted. 

Madison appeared unrecognizable in her mugshot as she looked fatigued and disheveled. 

The case remains ongoing.

Madison has struggled with drug use for years, as she was open about her substance abuse issues on Real World: Skeletons. 

She said on the show, "I'm a recovering heroin addict. I am scarred for life from it. I feel grateful to be alive."

In one episode, she admitted to overdosing on more than one occasion.

CUSTODY CASE

Madison appeared active in Harper’s life through the years, but in 2018, she signed over custody of her daughter to her parents. 

Court papers claimed that her parents, Cally and Michael, had asked the court to grant them sole custody of Harper from her and Tony, whose real name is Charles Anthony.

The petition filed in 2018 read, “Cally and Michael have had possession of the child since date of birth. The appointment of the parents as managing conservators would not be in the best interest of the child.

"It is in the best interest of the child that Petitioners be appointed sole managing conservators of the child.”

Madison responded to the petition by writing, “I want my parents to have custody of my daughter.”

Tony responded, “Respondent admits that Petitioners have had possession of the child. However, the mother, Madison Channing Walls, was living with petitioners at the time, and it is believed that she will likely continue to do so.

“Respondent also specifically denies the allegation that it is in the best interest of the child that Petitioners, the child’s grandparents, be appointed sole managing conservators of the child.”

The parties agreed to a temporary custody order.

The agreement also brought up Madison's substance abuse issues.

The papers read, “Ms. Walls shall have possession and access as agreed by Ms. Walls, Mr. Shapshak, and Mrs. Shapshak. However, all such periods of possession shall be supervised by Mr. or Mrs. Shapshak.

"Ms. Walls is currently residing on the property of Mr. and Mrs. Shapshak due to the need for support at this time.”

The papers continued that if Madison has a “relapse,” the parties “agree to recognize that Ms. Walls shall therefore no longer be permitted to reside on the property of Mr. and Mrs. Shapshak and shall immediately enter inpatient.”

The parties are prohibited from “consuming any controlled substance for which they do not have a valid prescription" and from drinking alcohol to the point of intoxication when around Harper.

The parties then sealed the case.

Madison's mother denied her daughter relapsed at the time, as she told RadarOnline.com, “She’s doing great. Nothing is wrong. She’s fine.”

She added of the custody filing, “The conservatorship is because it’s our family raising Harper. Tony isn’t involved. We just want to protect her. 

“He does post about her a lot on social media, especially for someone not on the birth certificate.”

ASSAULT ARREST

Madison was on the outs with her father prior to his death, though it is uncertain if they reconciled before his passing. 

In March 2023, Madison was arrested and charged with assault causing bodily injury. 

In the incident report, officers arrived at a physical disturbance at Madison’s parents' home.

According to the report, Michael claimed to authorities that Madison struck him “on the left side of the jaw and scratched the right arm after the two of them were in a verbal argument.”

Michael claimed Madison became “upset” when he “cut off her phone service.” 

According to the report, Michael allegedly “blocked” the door to Harper’s room to stop Madison from entering. 

The report continued, “While blocking the doorway to prevent Madison from entering the room, Madison struck him in the face in the lower left portion of the jaw, which he advised caused pain.

"Michael further advised Madison scratched him on the inner portion of his right forearm, which bled and caused pain.”

The cop observed “redness” on his face and “several scratches” on the forearm.

Madison “admitted” to striking her father to authorities.

The family member wished to press charges, and she was arrested. 

Michael filed an emergency protective order against her, as she was ordered to stay 200 feet away from him on March 28.

The charge against Madison was then declined because of Michael’s death in November 2023. 

BABY DADDY DRAMA

Tony and Alyssa appear to have Harper in their care often, as they recently celebrated her 9th birthday.

But on February 23, Tony found himself behind bars as well when he was arrested in Louisiana for operating while intoxicated, reckless operation and negligent injuring.

A Public Information Officer from the Louisiana State Police exclusively told The U.S. Sun that authorities responded to a multi-vehicle crash at 1:35am.

Tony, whose real name is Charles, was driving a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado and was "closely following a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan."

The statement read, "For reasons still under investigation, the Chevrolet struck the rear of the Volkswagen, causing the Volkswagen to hit a concrete barrier.

"After the initial crash, a 2018 Honda Civic that was also traveling westbound on I-10 impacted the Chevrolet. Four motorists sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate."

Authorities determined Tony was impaired at the time of the crash.

The statement continued, "Mr. Raines voluntarily submitted a breath test that registered over the legal limit for alcohol.

"As a result, Mr. Raines was arrested and booked... The investigation remains ongoing."

He was released from jail at around 9pm after posting a $7,500 bond. 

Tony is due back in court for his arraignment.