Eleven year old Addi Smith, traveled with her mother Tawnia McGeehan to the Rio Hotel and Casino for a competition with Utah Xtreme Cheer on Saturday February 14, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department believes, when Tawnia fatally shot her daughter before turning the gun on herself.
An apparent suicide note was found though details remain undisclosed.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department homicide Lt. Robert Price said at a Monday news conference "The mother shot her daughter and then shot herself. This is a sad and tragic incident and our hearts go out to the family."
Officers first responded to a welfare check around 10:45 a.m. Sunday after the pair failed to appear for the event knocking for fifteen to twenty minutes without entry.
Hotel security later forced access around 2:30 p.m. discovering the bodies.
The alarm began when Utah Xtreme Cheer posted pleas for help after Addi missed morning routines.
The team later shared devastation on Facebook, '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.
'Please keep her family in our thoughts and prayers and continue to send them love as they navigate this unimaginable loss.'
Court documents reveal a nine year custody battle between Tawnia and ex husband Bradley Smith starting after their 2015 divorce.
Accusations of parental alienation surfaced in 2020 leading to temporary changes but joint custody was awarded in 2024 with alternating weeks.
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