Las Vegas Hotel Tragedy: Mother Kills Cheerleader Daughter in Apparent Murder-Suicide
Police in Las Vegas have confirmed a devastating murder-suicide at a hotel along the famous strip, where a mother shot her teenage daughter dead before turning the weapon on herself. The tragic incident unfolded over the weekend, leaving the local community and cheerleading world in profound shock.
Wellness Check Reveals Horrific Scene
Authorities were alerted to the situation when Addi Smith and her mother, Tawnia McGeehan, failed to attend a scheduled team meeting on Sunday morning. The pair had traveled to Las Vegas specifically for a cheerleading competition, making their absence particularly concerning to friends and teammates.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was subsequently requested to conduct a wellness check at their hotel room at the Rio Hotel & Casino. "At some time last night, the mother shot her daughter and then shot herself," Lieutenant Robert Price stated during a somber press conference on Sunday evening. "This is a sad and tragic incident, and our hearts go out to the family."
Delayed Entry and Discovery
Initial attempts by officers to access the room at approximately 10:45 AM were unsuccessful due to insufficient case information. It was not until 2:30 PM, following persistent demands from the family, that hotel security managed to gain entry alongside police.
Inside, they discovered the lifeless bodies of both individuals. Investigators also found a handwritten note at the scene, though its contents have not been publicly disclosed as the inquiry continues. The current working theory suggests the mother fatally shot her daughter on Saturday night before taking her own life.
Community Mourns Young Athlete
Addi Smith, described as a pre-teen, was a member of the Utah Xtreme Cheer team, which confirmed her passing in an emotional social media statement. "With the heaviest hearts, we share the devastating news that our sweet athlete Addi has passed away," the team wrote. "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."
The team has appealed for privacy for Addi's loved ones and fellow squad members during this immensely difficult period. A non-profit organization named A Voice for the Voiceless had previously circulated a missing persons alert for the pair via social media before the grim discovery was made.
Ongoing Investigation and Unknown Motives
Lieutenant Price emphasized the profound sadness surrounding any case involving child death, noting that the mother's motives remain entirely unknown at this stage. Both the victim's immediate family and her cheerleading team have been formally notified of the tragedy.
Police have described the mother as being in her mid-30s. The investigation remains active as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the fatal incident, with the undisclosed note potentially holding crucial clues.
The Las Vegas strip, typically associated with entertainment and tourism, now bears the weight of this heartbreaking loss, reminding all of the personal tragedies that can unfold behind closed hotel doors.
