A mother and her young daughter were found dead inside a Las Vegas hotel room in what authorities are investigating as a murder-suicide, casting a shadow over what was meant to be a celebratory weekend at a cheerleading competition.
Police said the bodies were discovered Sunday at the Rio Hotel & Casino after the pair failed to appear at a scheduled cheer event. Concern grew when they did not show up for the competition, prompting checks that ultimately led to the grim discovery. Inside the room, officers found both victims along with what investigators described as an apparent suicide note.
While authorities have not formally released the names of the mother and daughter, officials confirmed they had traveled to Las Vegas for the cheer competition. The mother, believed to be in her 30s, is suspected of fatally shooting her daughter late Saturday before turning the gun on herself, according to police.
Earlier in the weekend, Utah Xtreme Cheer, the team the young girl belonged to, had shared a message on social media expressing concern over the pair’s disappearance. The team identified the girl as Addi Smith, a pre-teen from Salt Lake City, and her mother as Tawnia McGeehan. After police made the discovery, the cheer organization confirmed that Addi had died.
In a statement posted online, the team described Addi as a deeply cherished member of their community. “With the heaviest hearts, we share the devastating news that our sweet athlete Addi has passed away,” the organization wrote. The message went on to express heartbreak over the loss, emphasizing how loved she was by teammates, coaches, and families within the program.
Law enforcement officials said a note was located in the hotel room, though they have not disclosed its contents. Homicide detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the timeline leading up to the shooting and any potential contributing factors.
The tragedy unfolded against the backdrop of a major cheerleading event in Las Vegas, which typically brings families together to celebrate months of training and teamwork. Instead, the competition community is now mourning the loss of one of its young athletes.
Police have not indicated that anyone else was involved and have characterized the case as an isolated incident. Further details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
For the cheer community in Utah and beyond, the focus remains on remembering a young girl whose life ended far too soon, and supporting those grappling with the sudden and heartbreaking loss.
