A trip from Utah to Las Vegas for a national cheerleading competition ended in tragedy Sunday when a 34-year-old mother and her 11-year-old daughter were found dead inside a room at the Rio Hotel & Casino. Las Vegas police say early evidence indicates the mother shot her daughter, then died by suicide. The pair had traveled with a cheer team and were reported missing after they did not show up for scheduled events.
How Officers Found Them
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police say they were first called to the room for a welfare check just before 11 a.m. Officers knocked and called out for roughly 15-20 minutes, then left when they saw no signs of immediate danger. Hours later, hotel security returned, forced their way into the room and found the mother and child unresponsive. Investigators recovered a note at the scene. Those details, along with Lt. Robert Price's description of the case, were reported by KTNV.
Coroner Confirms Identities
The Clark County Office of the Coroner identified the victims as Tawnia McGeehan, 34, and her 11-year-old daughter, Addilyn (Addi) Smith. According to a release from the coroner's office, McGeehan died by suicide from a gunshot wound. The child's cause and manner of death are still pending, according to coverage that cites the department's release and coroner statements in People.
Court Records Show Yearslong Custody Fight
Public court filings reviewed by multiple news outlets indicate McGeehan and the girl's father had been in a contentious custody battle for years. Judges issued detailed orders outlining how exchanges should happen and placed restrictions on the parents. Reporting that sums up those records and notes the dispute dates back to the couple's 2015 divorce appears in Fox News.
Cheer Community And Neighbors React
Utah Xtreme Cheer, the team the girl traveled with, initially posted that the athlete and her mother were missing. The gym later shared what it called "devastating news" that Addi had died and canceled classes as the community reeled. Back home, neighbors tied blue ribbons around the area and gathered to mourn together, according to KSL.
Investigation Continues And How To Get Help
Homicide detectives say the investigation remains active. Police have not released the contents of the note found in the room and are asking anyone with information to contact LVMPD's Homicide Section. Police contact details and guidance on how to provide tips are included in materials cited by People. Officials also urge anyone struggling in the wake of the news to call or text 988 for immediate crisis support.
The family has asked for privacy as they grieve and has urged the public not to speculate about the case. "Please help in just spreading love and prayers," a relative wrote on social media, according to Fox News.
