Tawnia McGeehan, a 38-year-old mother from West Jordan, Utah, and her 11-year-old daughter, Addi Smith, were found dead in a hotel room at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday, February 15, 2026. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to a welfare check at approximately 10:45 a.m. after family members and members of the Utah Xtreme Cheer team reported the pair missing when they failed to appear at a scheduled cheerleading competition.
Upon entering the hotel room, officers discovered both Tawnia and Addi deceased from gunshot wounds. Investigators believe the incident occurred the night before, on Saturday, February 14. A preliminary investigation led authorities to conclude that Tawnia fatally shot her daughter before turning the gun on herself in what is being treated as a murder-suicide. A suicide note was reportedly found at the scene, though its contents have not been publicly disclosed.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through both the Las Vegas and Utah communities. Addi Smith was a young cheerleader and a member of Utah Xtreme Cheer, a competitive cheerleading team. The organization had raised alarms on social media when the mother and daughter failed to show up for the competition. Friends, teammates, and coaches have expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Addi, describing her as a bright and spirited child who brought energy and joy to the team.
Tawnia McGeehan, described by acquaintances as a devoted mother, had no known history of violence or mental health crises that had been made public. The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation, and authorities have not released further details about what may have motivated the act. The case has reignited conversations about mental health awareness and the importance of early intervention in times of emotional distress.
The Rio Hotel & Casino, located just off the Las Vegas Strip, has cooperated fully with law enforcement during the investigation. Hotel staff reportedly assisted in facilitating the welfare check after being contacted by concerned family members. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public and that the incident appears to be isolated.
As the investigation continues, the families of Tawnia and Addi are left to grieve an unimaginable loss. Vigils and memorials are being planned in Utah, where the community is rallying around the surviving relatives. The tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the hidden struggles that individuals may face and the devastating consequences that can follow when those struggles go unaddressed.
