😱 CHILLING WITNESS ACCOUNT: “I heard them screaming at 7 AM.” — A hotel guest right next door at the Rio in Las Vegas recalls the terrifying sounds of a heated argument echoing through the walls on the morning of February 15… just hours before everything went silent forever.

The screams, the yelling — it was intense, raw, and now cops say that’s when the long-simmering conflict finally exploded. Years of bitter custody fights, cheer pressure, mental health struggles… authorities reveal the mom lost control in that room, taking her 11-year-old daughter’s life before ending her own in a heartbreaking murder-suicide.

What pushed her over the edge? The argument heard by the neighbor, the red-ink note, the final text “We’ll be there shortly” — every new detail is more devastating than the last. This isn’t just a tragedy; it’s a nightmare unfolding in real time.

You have to read the full timeline and what the witness described — it’s gut-wrenching and impossible to look away. 💔🔊

A guest staying in the room next to 11-year-old cheerleader Addi Smith and her mother, Tawnia McGeehan, at the Rio Hotel & Casino has come forward with a chilling recollection: hearing intense screaming and arguing around 7 a.m. on February 15 — the morning before the pair failed to appear at a cheer competition and were later found dead in what police have ruled a murder-suicide.

The account, reported in emerging media coverage, adds a new layer to the timeline of the tragedy that has shocked the Utah cheer community and drawn national attention. Authorities believe McGeehan, 38 (some sources list her age as 34), shot her daughter sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday before turning the gun on herself. The long-simmering family tensions — including a nearly decade-long custody battle — are now cited by investigators as having boiled over in the hotel room.

The witness’s description of a “heated argument” aligns with the high-stress environment the pair may have been experiencing. McGeehan and Addi had traveled from West Jordan, Utah, for a national cheer event with Utah Xtreme Cheer. They were last seen alive Saturday evening around 8 p.m. at the nearby New York-New York Hotel & Casino. By Sunday morning, when Addi missed team check-ins, coaches grew concerned and prompted a welfare check.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police responded around 10:45 a.m. Sunday to the Rio room. Officers knocked repeatedly for 15-20 minutes without response and initially declined to force entry due to insufficient grounds at that time. Hotel security later entered around 2:30 p.m. after continued requests from family and the cheer team, discovering both victims unresponsive with gunshot wounds. Homicide detectives quickly determined the deaths as murder-suicide, with McGeehan believed to have shot Addi before committing suicide.

A note written in red ink was found at the scene, though its contents remain undisclosed. Police have also referenced a final outgoing message — “We’ll be there shortly” — sent in response to team inquiries about their arrival. The 7 a.m. screams reported by the neighboring guest suggest the fatal confrontation may have escalated in the early morning hours, potentially bridging the gap between their last public sighting and the discovery.

Court records from Utah County reveal a contentious history between McGeehan and Addi’s father, Brad Smith, dating to their 2015 divorce. Filings included allegations of domestic violence, leading to temporary custody changes favoring Smith. A judge cited concerns over parental alienation behaviors by McGeehan and domestic abuse in the child’s presence. Strict visitation rules were imposed, with ongoing modifications until a 2024 settlement. Family sources told outlets like Fox News that McGeehan faced additional stressors, including negative interactions from other cheer parents and reported mental health challenges.

The competitive cheer world — with its demanding schedules, travel, and performance expectations — has been highlighted in discussions around the case. Addi competed with Utah Xtreme Cheer and Utah Fusion All-Stars, and participated in pageants. Friends and coaches described her as hardworking, kind, and a team motivator who “lit up the room.” Former coach Emily Morgan noted Addi’s pride in routines and her role as the squad’s “hype girl.”

In the wake of the deaths, Utah Xtreme Cheer issued a statement: “With the heaviest hearts, we share the devastating news that our sweet athlete Addi has passed away. 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.” Practices paused across gyms, with grief counseling provided and memorials featuring blue and pink ribbons — Addi’s favorite colors.

The witness account of morning screams has prompted questions about whether hotel staff or other guests could have intervened earlier. Police have not confirmed if the argument directly preceded the shootings or if it relates to the final moments. Investigations continue into the firearms, any digital communications, and the note’s implications. No third-party involvement is suspected.

The Rio Hotel & Casino, west of the Las Vegas Strip, has cooperated fully with authorities. The incident has renewed scrutiny of welfare check protocols, as officers’ initial hesitation to enter the room delayed discovery by several hours.

For Addi’s father and extended family, including her uncle — a sergeant with the Salem Police Department in Utah — the loss compounds years of custody strife. The department offered support, calling the situation “unimaginable.”

As details emerge, the cheer community focuses on honoring Addi’s memory. Tributes describe a girl full of light, enthusiasm, and kindness — qualities that contrasted sharply with the darkness that unfolded in Room 402. The 7 a.m. screams serve as a haunting reminder of the final, desperate moments before tragedy struck.

Police urge patience as the investigation proceeds, with no motive officially released beyond the apparent culmination of personal and familial pressures. The case underscores broader issues of mental health, family court outcomes, and the intense world of youth sports.