Mother and Cheerleader Daughter Found Dead in Las Vegas Hotel Murder-Suicide
In a heartbreaking incident, a mother fatally shot her young cheerleader daughter before turning the gun on herself in a Las Vegas hotel room, authorities confirmed. The bodies of the mother and daughter were discovered on Sunday at the Rio Hotel & Casino, alongside an apparent suicide note, after the pair failed to appear for a cheer competition.
Discovery and Investigation Details
Police reported that the mother and daughter were in town for the cheer meet. The grim discovery was made when they did not show up for the event, prompting concerns. Utah Xtreme Cheer, the cheer team, had earlier issued a plea on social media, stating that one of their team members, Addi Smith, and her mother, Tawnia McGeehan, had vanished in Las Vegas ahead of the competition.
Soon after police found the bodies, the cheer team released an update revealing that Addi Smith, a pre-teen from Salt Lake City, had "passed away." In a statement, the team expressed profound grief, saying, "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."
Timeline and Police Findings
Authorities believe the mother, described only as being in her 30s, fatally shot her daughter sometime late Saturday before taking her own life. The investigation is ongoing, with police working to determine the exact circumstances leading up to the tragedy. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and the cheerleading world, highlighting the devastating impact of such events.
This murder-suicide underscores the importance of mental health awareness and support systems, as families and friends grapple with the loss. The Rio Hotel & Casino has not released a statement, but the case remains under active investigation by Las Vegas police.
