The discovery of a handwritten suicide note has cast a somber light on the murder-suicide that claimed the lives of 11-year-old cheerleader Addilyn “Addi” Smith and her mother Tawnia McGeehan in a Las Vegas hotel room on February 16, 2026. The pair had traveled from West Jordan, Utah, to compete in a major youth cheerleading event at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. Instead of celebrating on the competition floor, they were found dead from gunshot wounds, prompting an outpouring of grief from the cheer community, family, and local residents.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers conducted a welfare check after Addi and her mother missed roll call at the Utah Xtreme Cheer competition and failed to respond to repeated calls. Entering the room around 2:37 p.m., they discovered both victims unresponsive. Forensic examination determined McGeehan had shot her daughter once in the head before turning the firearm on herself. The Clark County Coroner’s Office officially ruled Addi’s death a homicide and McGeehan’s a suicide by self-inflicted gunshot wound. No signs of forced entry or struggle were reported, and the scene was quickly classified as a non-criminal domestic tragedy.

Central to understanding the motive is the suicide note found beside the bodies. Although police have not released the document publicly, law enforcement sources and family statements indicate it contained several pages of anguished writing. According to individuals briefed on its contents, McGeehan expressed overwhelming despair, chronicling years of emotional exhaustion from a contentious custody battle, feelings of being judged and ostracized by other parents in the cheer world, and a belief that she could no longer protect or provide for her daughter. One particularly devastating passage reportedly read along the lines of: “I can’t let them take you from me again, and I can’t watch you suffer because of me. This is the only way we both find peace.” The note did not name specific individuals but alluded to “mean texts” from cheer parents, ongoing court stress, and a deepening depression that had gone largely unaddressed.

Court documents reveal the backdrop. McGeehan and ex-husband Brad Smith divorced in 2015 after a short marriage. Since then, the pair engaged in nearly continuous litigation over custody, visitation, and child support. McGeehan lost temporary custody on multiple occasions, regained it briefly, and faced accusations of instability from Smith’s side. Her mother, Connie McGeehan, told reporters her daughter had battled depression for years, intensified by the legal fight and social pressures of the competitive cheer circuit. “She loved Addi more than anything,” Connie said. “But the constant battles wore her down until she couldn’t see any way out.”

Addi was a standout on Utah Xtreme Cheer, a respected program known for producing top-level athletes. Photos show her smiling brightly in uniform, pom-poms in hand, surrounded by teammates who described her as kind, energetic, and always encouraging others. The gym issued a statement: “Addi was family. Her light will never fade from our hearts. We are devastated beyond words.” Teammates and coaches organized blue-ribbon memorials across West Jordan, with ribbons tied to mailboxes, car mirrors, and gym doors in silent tribute.

The cheer community has grappled with how such darkness could hide behind the sport’s polished image. Competitive youth cheer often involves intense schedules, high financial costs, and social dynamics among parents that can turn toxic. Sources close to the team said McGeehan had clashed with other moms over competition politics, leading to group chat confrontations and exclusion that deepened her isolation. While no evidence suggests bullying directly caused the tragedy, the cumulative effect of perceived rejection appears in the note’s references to feeling “judged and alone.”

Mental health professionals note that murder-suicide cases involving a parent and child frequently involve severe untreated depression, perceived loss of control, and a delusional belief that death offers protection from future suffering. McGeehan’s history of custody loss, financial strain from legal fees, and the pressure of maintaining appearances in a high-achieving youth sports environment likely compounded these factors. Experts stress the importance of early intervention, crisis hotlines, and community support networks to catch warning signs before they escalate.

Brad Smith, Addi’s father, has remained largely out of the public eye since the incident. Stepmother McKennly Smith initially posted frantic pleas on social media when the pair went missing: “Please help—Addi and her mom are missing in Vegas. Share this post.” The message was shared thousands of times before the grim discovery. Family friends say Brad is shattered, focusing on supporting his remaining children and honoring Addi’s memory privately.

The tragedy has sparked calls for reform. Advocates for mental health in youth sports urge mandatory wellness checks for parents, anonymous reporting channels for toxic behavior, and better resources for families under strain. Gun safety organizations point to the accessibility of firearms in moments of crisis, while family court reformers highlight the toll of prolonged, adversarial custody disputes on mental stability.

As the investigation wraps, detectives continue reviewing digital communications, financial records, and any additional writings to ensure no external factors were overlooked. The suicide note, though private, has become a haunting centerpiece—words from a mother who felt cornered, convinced that ending both lives was the only remaining act of love.

For the cheer community, the loss is twofold: a promising young athlete gone and a stark reminder that behind every perfect routine may lie unseen pain. Blue ribbons still flutter in Utah neighborhoods, a quiet symbol of remembrance. Addi’s teammates keep her spot on the mat empty, a silent promise that her spirit endures.

This story is more than headline tragedy. It is a call to notice the silent struggles, to reach out before despair takes hold, and to remember that even in the brightest arenas, darkness can hide in plain sight.