The bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip were supposed to be a backdrop for sequins, pom-poms and proud-parent photos. Instead, a hotel room at the Rio Hotel & Casino became the scene of a tragedy that has left a cheer community reeling and reopened painful questions about custody battles, mental health and warning signs missed.
Addi Smith, an 11-year-old competitive cheerleader from Utah, was found dead alongside her mother, Tawnia McGeehan, inside a hotel room Sunday afternoon. Police say they believe McGeehan shot her daughter before turning the gun on herself.
“At some time last night, the mother shot her daughter and then shot herself,” Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Lieutenant Robert Price told reporters. “This is a sad and tragic incident, and our hearts go out to the family.”
Authorities say Addi and her mother had traveled to Las Vegas for a cheerleading competition. When the pair failed to show up for a team meeting on the morning of February 15, 2026, members of Utah Xtreme Cheer grew concerned and requested a welfare check.
Officers responded to the Rio Hotel & Casino but, after knocking and receiving no answer, determined they did not have sufficient evidence to force entry into the room. It wasn’t until 2:30 p.m. that hotel security entered and discovered the bodies of Addi and McGeehan, along with a note. Police have not disclosed the contents of that note.
The investigation remains ongoing, but law enforcement officials say they are operating under the belief that the shooting occurred Saturday night.
“Anytime that you are dealing with any type of child death, it’s sad,” Lt. Price said. “It’s a tragedy; our hearts go out to the family.”
Behind the horror of the hotel room discovery lies a years-long custody battle that had defined much of Addi’s young life.
Court documents show that McGeehan and Addi’s father, Brad Smith, had been locked in a bitter dispute over custody following their divorce. At one point, the court imposed strict terms for child exchanges. Both parents were ordered to remain inside their vehicles during school handoffs, parking at least five spaces apart, while Addi walked between them alone. When school was not in session, exchanges were required to take place at the Herriman Police Department in Utah at 9 a.m. every Monday.
Disagreements were to be resolved via email. Larger decisions required emergency mediation.
In 2020, according to documents cited by Fox 5, McGeehan temporarily lost custody after a court found she had acted in ways that could alienate Addi from her father. The following year, McGeehan sought a temporary restraining order against Addi’s stepmother, alleging that she had been filming custody exchanges in violation of court agreements.
Eventually, in 2024, the parents reached a joint custody arrangement on a week-on, week-off basis.
On paper, it looked like stability. In reality, the tension appears to have lingered.
The Las Vegas trip was meant to be about cheerleading — something Addi reportedly loved.
“With the heaviest hearts, we share the devastating news that our sweet athlete Addi has passed away,” Utah Xtreme Cheer wrote in a statement Sunday night. “We are completely heartbroken. No words do the situation justice. She was so beyond loved, and she will always be a part of the UXC family.”
Emily Morgan, Addi’s former cheer coach and owner of Utah Fusion All-Stars in South Jordan, described her as dedicated and driven.
“She would learn her part, and she took a lot of pride in what she was doing,” Morgan told KUTV. “As a coach, that’s the dream. And because of that attitude, I always knew she was going to go far in this experience.”
In Utah, neighbors began tying blue ribbons around street lights Monday evening — a quiet show of solidarity for a child whose life ended far from home.
“We want them all to know that we’re thinking about them and care for them,” neighbor Alison Johnson told KSL.com. “It was just absolute shock and disbelief.”
Another neighbor, Rob Hoch, said it would be “hard not to see her around.”
As tributes pour in online, the case is likely to spark broader debate. Custody disputes are common; murder-suicides are rare. When the two intersect, communities are left grasping for explanations.
Police have not indicated whether prior threats were reported or whether any warning signs were known to authorities. The note found in the hotel room could offer insight — or deepen the mystery.
What is certain is that an 11-year-old girl who was practicing routines and packing glittered uniforms days ago is gone. A competition trip meant to celebrate teamwork and athleticism ended in gunfire.
