Las Vegas authorities are grappling with a heartbreaking and deeply disturbing case after a mother and her preteen daughter were found dead in their hotel room at the Rio Hotel & Casino. The victims have been identified as Tawnia McGeehan, in her mid-30s, and her daughter Addi Smith, a young cheerleader from Utah. What began as a frantic missing persons search quickly escalated into a full homicide investigation, revealing a scene that has left investigators and the community stunned.

The pair traveled from Utah to Las Vegas for a cheerleading competition organized by Utah Xtreme Cheer. They were last spotted around 8 p.m. on Saturday at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino. When they failed to appear at the event the following day, concerned coaches and teammates raised the alarm, circulating flyers and pleading for help on social media. Friends and family grew increasingly worried as attempts to contact them went unanswered.

Hotel security at the Rio conducted welfare checks after repeated no-shows and lack of response. Around midday Sunday, they entered the room and made the grim discovery: both Tawnia and Addi were deceased. Officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) immediately secured the scene and launched a thorough investigation.

Preliminary examinations and forensic work pointed to a devastating sequence of events. Evidence strongly suggested that Tawnia shot her daughter sometime late Saturday night before turning the firearm on herself in an apparent murder-suicide. A note was reportedly recovered from the room, offering potential insight into the motive, though details remain closely guarded as the probe continues.

Autopsy and crime scene analysis uncovered multiple suspicious traces that corroborated the initial theory. Ballistic evidence, positioning of the bodies, and gunshot residue patterns aligned with the scenario of one shooter responsible for both deaths. No signs of forced entry or external struggle were apparent, indicating the incident unfolded privately within the room. Toxicology and further pathology results are pending but expected to provide additional clarity on timelines and circumstances.

The cheer community has been left reeling. Utah Xtreme Cheer issued a somber statement confirming Addi’s passing and expressing profound grief for the young athlete described as sweet and dedicated. Teammates, coaches, and families are mourning not only the loss of life but the unimaginable trauma surrounding it.

Police have notified next of kin and emphasized that the investigation remains active. While early findings lean heavily toward a tragic domestic act with no third-party involvement suspected, officials continue examining every detail to rule out other possibilities. Mental health experts note that such incidents often stem from severe underlying distress, though no specific triggers have been publicly disclosed.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the hidden struggles some individuals face, even amid seemingly joyful activities like family trips and competitions. As Las Vegas detectives piece together the final hours of Tawnia and Addi, the focus remains on compassion for the grieving loved ones left behind. The cheer world, once excited for a weekend of triumphs, now unites in sorrow, praying for understanding in the face of an inexplicable loss.