Utah Mother and Daughter Die in Murder-Suicide While Attending Las Vegas Cheer Competition

A mother and daughter from Utah were found dead in a Las Vegas hotel room on Sunday, February 15, in what police have said was a murder-suicide, Us Weekly has learned.

Tawnia McGeehan, 38, and her daughter, Addi Smith, were visiting Las Vegas from Utah for a cheerleading competition, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police have confirmed.

Police believe that Addi, 11, was fatally shot by her mother inside the Rio Hotel and Casino near the Las Vegas Strip sometime on the evening of Saturday, February 14. Tawnia then died by suicide, cops believe.

Members of the Utah Xtreme Cheer had reported the mother and daughter missing and took to social media asking for help finding them.

Addi and Tawnia were last seen alive by the cheerleading group on February 14. Addi’s squad participated on the first day of the elite competition.

“We are completely heartbroken,” wrote Utah Xtreme Cheer in a post on Facebook that featured a photo of Addi in her cheering uniform. “No words do the situation justice. She was so beyond loved, and she will always be a part of the UXC family.”

“Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers and continue to send them love as they navigate this unimaginable loss,” the post concluded.

Addi Smith Utah Xtreme Cheer

Addi was also part of Utah Fusion All-Stars, a competitive cheerleading group. On Facebook, Utah Fusion All-Stars said Addi “was absolutely loved in our gym” and that she “will always be remembered for her sweet smile and light that she brought to her teams.”

The Utah Cinderella Pageant also expressed condolences to the family, saying Addi’s “bright smile and kindness will never be forgotten.”

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Lieutenant Robert Price spoke to reporters at a press conference on Sunday and called the murder-suicide “a sad and tragic incident” and said that “our hearts go out to the family.”

Police did go to the hotel on Sunday morning at around 10:45 a.m., after being asked to check on the mother and daughter. But there was no answer at their room’s door, and they cleared the call, according to a statement.

Hotel security also knocked several times, police said, and called out to the mother and daughter but received no response.

Police confirmed that family and friends kept calling the hotel and asking staff for help locating the mother and daughter, and so security eventually returned to the room. After unlocking the door, staffers found the woman and little girl dead.

Before their bodies were found, missing persons fliers started circulating online, showing McGeehan and Smith smiling in a photo together.

Police said that Tawnia is in her 30s, according to a statement on the murder-suicide.

Las Vegas investigators did not respond to Us’ calls for comment.

A note was found in their room, according to investigators. However, police did not discuss its contents.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

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