Tawnia McGeehan, West Jordan, Utah mom shoots & kills pre-teen daughter, Addi Smith after the pair traveling to Las Vegas for a cheer competition only to never make it. A welfare request from Utah Xtreme Cheer led to the morbid discovery Sunday afternoon after the pair last seen alive Saturday evening.
A Utah mother and daughter reported missing after arriving in Las Vegas for a cheer competition were found dead from gunshot wounds in their hotel room, Sunday afternoon, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) stated.
The bodies of Tawnia McGeehan, 38, and her pre-teen daughter Addi Smith of West Jordan, Utah were discovered following a request for a welfare check. The pair who were initially reported staying at the New York New York Hotel & Casino were found deceased at the Rio Hotel & Casino west of the Las Vegas strip.
LVMPD stated Tawnia McGheehan shooting and killing Addi before taking her own life. A note was found at the scene. Officials stated family having been notified. Officials stated at the time no witnesses had come forward reporting hearing gunshots in the alleged murder-suicide.
Tawnia McGeehan Utah mom custody battle with ex pushed her to the edge
Utah xtreme Cheer request welfare request for missing mom & pre-teen daughter
The mother and daughter had traveled to Vegas from Utah for a cheerleading competition with Utah xtreme Cheer but they never arrived to the actual competition. That is when the cheer coach reported them missing.
Read a post from Utah Xtreme Cheer earlier on Sunday in part, ‘This is not the post we ever wanted to make, but we need the cheer community’s help. One of our athletes and her mom are currently missing from Las Vegas.
They did not arrive to competition today, and we have been unable to contact them. At this point, we are extremely worried. Police have been contacted. At this point, we are extremely worried. Police have been contacted.’
According to a shared flyer, Tawnia McGeehan and Addi Smith were last seen Feb. 14 around 8 p.m at their hotel room.
Utah mom believed to have shot pre-teen daughter Saturday night
A shared posting from LMVD stated the department receiving a call for a welfare check around 10.45 a.m. Sunday morning. Police went to the hotel, knocked several times on their door, called out their names, but there was no response. After 15 to twenty minutes, officers left.
No known motive in mom and daughter murder-suicide
Following news of the tragic passing of mother and daughter, Utah Xtreme Cheer shared the following post on social media:
‘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 your thoughts and prayers and continue to send them love as they navigate this unimaginable loss. We ask that you respect their privacy during this time.’
Authorities have yet to identify a motive in the mother and daughter’s tragic deaths.
