“Something Was STRANGE” — Chilling words now haunting the Las Vegas cheerleader tragedy that has left a community in absolute shock. 😱 An 11-year-old rising star, Addi Smith, and her mom Tawnia McGeehan were found shot dead in their Rio Hotel room during a big cheer competition… but disturbing new details are emerging that scream something was deeply off.

Cops were called for a welfare check AFTER the girl missed her event — but officers left the door without an answer… only for hotel security to discover the horror FOUR HOURS later. A note was found inside…

A heartbreaking tragedy that has stunned the competitive cheerleading community in Utah and beyond continues to unfold, with new revelations painting a picture of a family torn apart by a nearly decade-long custody battle before an apparent murder-suicide claimed the lives of an 11-year-old girl and her mother inside a Strip-adjacent hotel room.

Addilyn “Addi” Smith, a promising young athlete with Utah Xtreme Cheer, and her mother, Tawnia McGeehan, 38 (also reported as 34 in some records), of West Jordan, Utah, were found dead from gunshot wounds Sunday afternoon, Feb. 15, 2026, in their room at the Rio Hotel & Casino. The pair had traveled to Las Vegas for a cheerleading competition but never made it to the morning session.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) homicide detectives have classified the deaths as a murder-suicide, determining that McGeehan shot her daughter before turning the gun on herself sometime overnight or early that morning. A note was discovered in the room, though authorities have declined to release its contents or speculate on its significance pending further investigation. Autopsies by the Clark County Coroner’s Office are ongoing, with official cause and manner of death expected to be confirmed soon.

The grim discovery came after a welfare check prompted by concerned teammates and coaches. When Addi failed to appear for her scheduled performance, members of her team contacted hotel staff and eventually law enforcement. Officers responded around 10:45 a.m. but received no answer at the door and left the scene. Hotel security, following up on repeated requests from family and team members, entered the room approximately four hours later and found the bodies.

The sequence of events has raised eyebrows among observers and online commentators, who question why police did not force entry or escalate the check sooner. LVMPD officials have defended the response, noting that welfare checks follow protocol and that no immediate signs of distress were evident from outside the room. The department continues to investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.

Court records reviewed by multiple outlets reveal a contentious custody history dating back to McGeehan’s 2015 divorce from Addi’s father, Brad Smith. The filings describe years of disputes over parenting time, child support, and allegations between the parties. At one point, McGeehan temporarily lost custody of Addi, though details of the reasons remain sealed or limited in public documents. Family members have described McGeehan as struggling with depression in recent years, compounded by ongoing legal stress.

Sources close to the family, including McGeehan’s mother Connie McGeehan, told reporters that the mother had received “mean texts” from other parents associated with the cheer team in the days leading up to the trip. While the exact nature of those messages has not been confirmed by police, they add to a narrative of mounting pressure on a woman already navigating personal and legal challenges.

Addi was remembered fondly by her coaches and teammates as a dedicated, joyful member of the squad. Utah Xtreme Cheer confirmed her participation, sharing photos and tributes on social media describing cheerleading as “her life.” A vigil was held in Utah on Monday evening, where community members gathered to mourn the young girl whose bright smile and athletic spirit had touched so many.

The competitive cheer world, known for its intensity and close-knit bonds, has been rocked by the loss. Fellow athletes, coaches, and parents have flooded social media with memories, prayers, and questions about how such a vibrant child could be taken in such a devastating way. Some have called for greater awareness of mental health resources for parents under extreme stress, particularly in high-pressure youth sports environments.

Police have emphasized that the case remains active, with detectives examining forensic evidence, witness statements from the hotel and cheer event, and any digital communications that might provide context. No foul play involving third parties has been indicated, and authorities believe the incident was isolated to the mother-daughter pair.

The Rio Hotel & Casino, a longtime fixture near the Las Vegas Strip, has cooperated fully with investigators. Hotel representatives expressed condolences but declined further comment on security protocols or the welfare check process.

For Addi’s father, Brad Smith, and extended family, the news has been devastating. Relatives have asked for privacy as they grieve and await final autopsy results. A stepmother reportedly posted emotional pleas on social media in the hours before the bodies were found, urging authorities and hotel staff to check on the room.

As details continue to surface, the tragedy underscores broader issues of custody conflicts, mental health struggles, and the immense pressures faced by families in competitive youth activities. While police maintain there is no ongoing public threat, the case has left a pall over the cheer community and sparked widespread discussion about warning signs that may have been missed.

Investigators urge anyone with information related to the events leading up to Feb. 15 to contact LVMPD. The department has promised updates as they become available without compromising the probe. For now, a promising young life cut short and a mother’s final, irreversible act have left more questions than answers in a city accustomed to headlines — but rarely ones this heartbreaking.