LAS VEGAS — Tragedy struck at the Rio Hotel & Casino over the weekend, where a mother allegedly shot her 11-year-old daughter before taking her own life. The incident, which law enforcement officials believe to be a murder-suicide, unfolded as the pair visited Las Vegas for a cheerleading tournament.
Tawnia McGeehan, 38, and her daughter Addi Smith were found dead inside their hotel room on Sunday afternoon after authorities were alerted by Addi’s cheerleading team. Concern grew when she did not show up for a scheduled competition, prompting a welfare check by police around 10:45 a.m.
Initially, officers responded to the hotel and made several attempts to contact McGeehan and Addi but received no response. After determining there was no immediate cause for concern, they cleared the call. However, hotel security returned to the room later in the day after rising concern from social media posts, and at approximately 2:30 p.m., they entered the room and discovered the two deceased.
In a statement shared on social media, the cheerleading team, Utah Xtreme, expressed their devastation over the loss. “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 wrote.
The environment surrounding McGeehan and Smith’s lives was troubled prior to this incident. Court documents reveal a long-standing custody battle between McGeehan and her ex-husband, Brad Smith, which had been ongoing since Addi was a toddler. McGeehan temporarily lost custody of Addi in 2020 after the court cited concerns over her behavior, which could potentially alienate Addi from her father.
Further complications arose when McGeehan sought a temporary restraining order in 2021, claiming that Addi’s stepmother was unlawfully recording exchanges during visitation. By early 2024, the couple had reached a custody agreement, granting joint physical and legal custody, alternating weekly between parents.
Law enforcement has not clarified what led to the tragic shooting. The incident has brought shockwaves through the local community, with the cheerleading team announcing that grief counselors would be available for the families involved in the days to come.
As details continue to emerge, the incident highlights the complexities and strains of familial relationships, underscoring the importance of mental health support in times of distress.