Las Vegas Rio Hotel shooting death of mom and daughter causes investigation into cheer team bullying

A mother and her 11-year-old daughter were found dead in a Las Vegas hotel room after missing a cheer event. Family members say mean messages from other parents caused a lot of stress for the mom.
By Newsroom | Crime, Las Vegas |

Tragic Discovery in Las Vegas Hotel

On a Sunday morning, a serious event happened in a Las Vegas hotel. A mother, Tawnia McGeehan, 38, and her daughter, Addi Smith, 11, were found dead in their room. Police believe Tawnia McGeehan shot her daughter and then herself. This discovery followed a welfare check request after the pair did not appear for a cheer competition. The deaths bring sharp focus to the difficult pressures some families face.

Dance mom killed herself and daughter, 11, after vicious text war with other mothers in cheer squad, stricken relative claims - 1

Event Timeline and Key Individuals

Police arrived at the Rio Hotel & Casino around 10:45 a.m. Sunday. They found both the mother and daughter deceased. Authorities think the shooting happened late Saturday night. An apparent suicide note was found in the room.

Dance mom killed herself and daughter, 11, after vicious text war with other mothers in cheer squad, stricken relative claims - 2

Officers and hotel security first went to the mom and daughter’s room at about 10:45 a.m. Sunday, after someone requested a welfare check.Police believe McGeehan, 38, killed her daughter sometime late Saturday before turning the gun on herself.

Addi Smith was a member of the Utah Xtreme Cheer (UXC) team. Her family states Addi loved gymnastics and her friends.

Dance mom killed herself and daughter, 11, after vicious text war with other mothers in cheer squad, stricken relative claims - 3

Evidence Found

Police confirmed the mother and daughter were in Las Vegas for a cheer meet. They did not immediately share their names or what was in the note. The bodies were found with gunshot wounds.

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Dance mom killed herself and daughter, 11, after vicious text war with other mothers in cheer squad, stricken relative claims - 4

Addi Smith, 11, was found shot dead alongside her mother, Tawnia McGeehan, 38, at the Rio Hotel & Casino on Sunday with an apparent suicide note after the pair failed to show up for a cheer competition, authorities said.

Conflicting Perspectives and Open Questions

The Cheer Competition Connection

The deaths happened after Tawnia McGeehan and Addi Smith did not show up for a cheer competition.

  • Was this absence a clear sign of trouble?

  • How did this missed event relate to the larger situation?

Family Claims: Mean Messages

Connie McGeehan, Tawnia McGeehan's mother, told reporters about "mean" text messages. She said other parents from the UXC team sent these messages to Tawnia. The messages reportedly blamed Addi after another girl left a recent competition.

Her mother, Connie McGeehan, said other parents with the Utah Xtreme Cheer (UXC) team were sending her daughter 'mean' messages and placing blame on Addi after another girl withdrew from a recent competition.

  • Did these messages directly influence Tawnia McGeehan's actions?

  • How common are such online conflicts in competitive team environments?

Personal History and Unknowns

Tawnia McGeehan had a hard court fight with her ex-husband for her child. Her family said they did not know she owned a gun or brought one with her.

It remains unclear why McGeehan, who endured a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband, allegedly took her and her child’s life.She said no one in the family knew McGeehan owned a gun or carried it on her.

  • Did Tawnia McGeehan's past custody battles add to her stress?

  • How did she get the gun used in the event, and when?

Conclusion

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department continues to investigate the deaths of Tawnia McGeehan and Addi Smith. Initial findings point to a murder-suicide. The presence of an apparent suicide note suggests planning, though its contents remain private. Family members have spoken of difficult social pressures from a cheer team environment and past personal struggles. The investigation seeks to connect these elements to the events that happened. Next steps involve detailed examination of the scene, the note, and further talks with people involved. The UXC team expressed their sadness, stating Addi was "beyond loved."

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did police find Tawnia McGeehan and Addi Smith dead at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas?
Police went to the room for a welfare check on Sunday morning because the pair missed a cheer competition. They found the 38-year-old mother and 11-year-old daughter dead from gunshot wounds in what looks like a murder-suicide.
Q: What did the family say about the mean text messages sent to Tawnia McGeehan?
Tawnia’s mother, Connie, said other parents from the Utah Xtreme Cheer team sent mean messages to her daughter. These parents reportedly blamed 11-year-old Addi after another girl left the team, which caused the mother a lot of mental pain.
Q: Was there a suicide note found in the Las Vegas hotel room after the shooting?
Yes, police found a note in the room at the Rio Hotel & Casino. While they have not told the public what the note says, it helps officers understand that the mother may have planned the shooting before it happened.
Q: Did Tawnia McGeehan have a history of family problems before the Las Vegas event?
Tawnia had a very difficult court fight with her ex-husband over her child for a long time. Family members believe this old stress, combined with the new mean messages from other parents, led to the tragic event.
Q: How did the Utah Xtreme Cheer team react to the death of Addi Smith?
The cheer team said they are very sad and that 11-year-old Addi was loved by everyone. They are mourning the loss of a teammate who was known for loving gymnastics and being a good friend to others.